How to pronounce asteroid
Say it like AS-tuh-royd. Asteroid has three 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 asteroid. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AS
- tuh
- royd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Asteroid 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.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- roydGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of asteroid
American and British speakers say asteroid in essentially the same way: /ˈæstəˌrɔɪd/ in the US and /ˈæstəˌrɔɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: AS-tuh-royd.
What does asteroid mean?
- any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)
- shaped like a star
Where does asteroid come from?
]Introduced by German–British astronomer William Herschel in 1802 upon the suggestion of classical scholar Charles Burney Jr.
Questions about saying asteroid
How do you pronounce asteroid?
Say AS-tuh-royd. The American pronunciation is /ˈæstəˌrɔɪd/. In British English it is /ˈæstəˌrɔɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in asteroid?
Asteroid has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AS). Broken into parts: AS · tuh · royd.
Do Americans and Brits say asteroid the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæstəˌrɔɪd/ and the British form is /ˈæstəˌrɔɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.