How to pronounce bootlegger
Say it like BOOT-leg-er. Bootlegger has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bootlegger. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BOOT
- leg
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bootlegger pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- legGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of bootlegger
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BOOT-leg-uh.
What does bootlegger mean?
- One who is illegally a producer and/or trader of goods, especially of alcohol.
- One who breaks intellectual property laws by reproducing protected works without permission.
- A miner who mines illegally.
Where does bootlegger come from?
From bootleg + -er. Originally a nickname given to smugglers in King George III's reign, derived from the smugglers' custom of hiding packages of valuables in the legs of their large sea-boots when dodging the king's coastguardsmen.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying bootlegger
How do you pronounce bootlegger?
Say BOOT-leg-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈbutˌlɛɡɚ/. In British English it is /ˈbuːtˌlɛɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bootlegger?
Bootlegger has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOOT). Broken into parts: BOOT · leg · er.
Is bootlegger 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 /ˈbuːtˌlɛɡə/ (BOOT-leg-uh).