How to pronounce ballpoint
Say it like BAWL-poynt. Ballpoint has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ballpoint. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAWL
- poynt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ballpoint pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- poyntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of ballpoint
American and British speakers say ballpoint in essentially the same way: /ˈbɔlpɔɪnt/ in the US and /ˈbɔːlpɔɪnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAWL-poynt.
What does ballpoint mean?
- A kind of needle with a rounded tip.
Where does ballpoint come from?
From ball + point.
Questions about saying ballpoint
How do you pronounce ballpoint?
Say BAWL-poynt. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɔlpɔɪnt/. In British English it is /ˈbɔːlpɔɪnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ballpoint?
Ballpoint has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAWL). Broken into parts: BAWL · poynt.
Do Americans and Brits say ballpoint the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɔlpɔɪnt/ and the British form is /ˈbɔːlpɔɪnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.