How to pronounce bacteria
Say it like bak-TIR-ee-uh. Bacteria has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIR).
VoiceSpeed
US American/bækˈtɪriə/bak-TIR-ee-uh
UK British/bækˈtɪərɪə/bak-TEER-reer
- bak
- TIR
- ee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bacteria pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bakKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- TIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bacteria
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
British respelling: bak-TEER-reer.
What does bacteria mean?
noun
- plural of bacterium How to pronounce bacterium
- A type, species, or strain of bacterium.
- Alternative form of bacterium.
- An oval bacterium, as distinguished from a spherical coccus or rod-shaped bacillus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with bacteria
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bacteria.
Questions about saying bacteria
How do you pronounce bacteria?
Say bak-TIR-ee-uh. The American pronunciation is /bækˈtɪriə/. In British English it is /bækˈtɪərɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bacteria?
Bacteria has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIR). Broken into parts: bak · TIR · ee · uh.
Is bacteria pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /bækˈtɪərɪə/ (bak-TEER-reer).