How to pronounce bombshell
Say it like BOM-shel. Bombshell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOM).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bombshell. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈbɑmˌʃɛl/BOM-shel
UK British/ˈbɒmʃɛl/BOM-shel
- BOM
- shel
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bombshell pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- shelGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of bombshell
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BOM-shel.
What does bombshell mean?
noun
- Something that is very surprising, shocking, amazing or sensational.
- Someone who is very attractive; a sex symbol.“Diana Dors, the 1950s blonde bombshell”
Where does bombshell come from?
From bomb + shell.
Questions about saying bombshell
How do you pronounce bombshell?
Say BOM-shel. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑmˌʃɛl/. In British English it is /ˈbɒmʃɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bombshell?
Bombshell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOM). Broken into parts: BOM · shel.
Is bombshell 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 /ˈbɒmʃɛl/ (BOM-shel).