How to pronounce autotomy
Say it like aw-TOT-uh-mee. Autotomy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce autotomy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- aw
- TOT
- uh
- mee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Autotomy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- meeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of autotomy
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: aw-TOT-uh-mee.
What does autotomy mean?
- The spontaneous removal of a limb, tail etc, especially by some invertebrates as a self-defense mechanism.
Where does autotomy come from?
From auto- + -tomy, after German Autotomie or French autotomie.
Words that rhyme with autotomy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of autotomy.
Questions about saying autotomy
How do you pronounce autotomy?
Say aw-TOT-uh-mee. The American pronunciation is /ɔˈtɑtəmi/. In British English it is /ɔːˈtɒtəmi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in autotomy?
Autotomy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOT). Broken into parts: aw · TOT · uh · mee.
Is autotomy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ɔːˈtɒtəmi/ (aw-TOT-uh-mee).