How to pronounce bentonite
Say it like BEN-tuh-nyte. Bentonite has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bentonite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEN
- tuh
- nyte
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bentonite pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nyteGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of bentonite
American and British speakers say bentonite in essentially the same way: /ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt/ in the US and /ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: BEN-tuh-nyte.
What does bentonite mean?
- Any of several impure clay minerals consisting mostly of montmorillonite.
- A porous clay formed by the decomposition of volcanic ash that swells 5 to 6 times its original volume in the presence of water.
Where does bentonite come from?
From Benton + -ite, after the place where it was first mined: Fort Benton, Montana.
Questions about saying bentonite
How do you pronounce bentonite?
Say BEN-tuh-nyte. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt/. In British English it is /ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bentonite?
Bentonite has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEN). Broken into parts: BEN · tuh · nyte.
Do Americans and Brits say bentonite the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt/ and the British form is /ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.