How to pronounce bottom
Say it like BOT-um. Bottom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOT).
- BOT
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bottom pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bottom
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: BOT-um.
What does bottom mean?
- The lowest part of anything.“Footers appear at the bottoms of pages.”
- The lowest or last position in a rank.“The Red Sox are at the bottom again.”
- A garment worn to cover the body below the torso.“There’s a hole in her pyjama bottoms.”
- To furnish (something) with a bottom.“to bottom a chair”
- To pour spirits into (a glass to be topped up with soda water).
- To establish or found (something) on or upon.
- The lowest or last place or position.“Those files should go on the bottom shelf.”
Where does bottom come from?
The noun sense “posterior of a person” is first attested in 1794; the verb sense “to reach the bottom of” is first attested in 1808.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with bottom
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bottom.
Questions about saying bottom
How do you pronounce bottom?
Say BOT-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑtəm/. In British English it is /ˈbɒtəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bottom?
Bottom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOT). Broken into parts: BOT · um.
Is bottom 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 /ˈbɒtəm/ (BOT-um).