How to pronounce asphalt
Say it like AS-fawlt. Asphalt has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce asphalt. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AS
- fawlt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Asphalt pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- fawltGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of asphalt
American and British speakers say asphalt in essentially the same way: /ˈæsˌfɔlt/ in the US and /ˈæsfælt/ in the UK.
British respelling: AS-falt.
What does asphalt mean?
- mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing
- a dark bituminous substance found in natural beds and as residue from petroleum distillation; consists mainly of hydrocarbons
- cover with tar or asphalt“asphalt the driveway”
Questions about saying asphalt
How do you pronounce asphalt?
Say AS-fawlt. The American pronunciation is /ˈæsˌfɔlt/. In British English it is /ˈæsfælt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in asphalt?
Asphalt has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AS). Broken into parts: AS · fawlt.
Do Americans and Brits say asphalt the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæsˌfɔlt/ and the British form is /ˈæsfælt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.