How to pronounce blunderbuss
Say it like BLUHN-der-buhs. Blunderbuss has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BLUHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce blunderbuss. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BLUHN
- der
- buhs
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Blunderbuss pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BLUHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- buhsGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of blunderbuss
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BLUHN-duh-buhs.
What does blunderbuss mean?
- An old style of muzzleloading firearm and early form of shotgun with a distinctive short, large caliber barrel that is flared at the muzzle, therefore able to fire scattered quantities of nails, stones, shot, etc. at short range.
- To shoot with a blunderbuss.
Where does blunderbuss come from?
From Dutch donderbus (“blunderbuss”, literally “thunder gun”), which was altered under the influence of blunder.
Questions about saying blunderbuss
How do you pronounce blunderbuss?
Say BLUHN-der-buhs. The American pronunciation is /ˈblʌndɚˌbʌs/. In British English it is /ˈblʌndəˌbʌs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in blunderbuss?
Blunderbuss has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BLUHN). Broken into parts: BLUHN · der · buhs.
Is blunderbuss pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈblʌndəˌbʌs/ (BLUHN-duh-buhs).