How to pronounce boutonniere
Say it like boo-tuh-NEE-er. Boutonniere has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce boutonniere. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- boo
- tuh
- NEE
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Boutonniere pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- booGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of boutonniere
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: boo-tuh-NEE-uh.
What does boutonniere mean?
- A small flower or bunch of flowers worn in a buttonhole or pinned to the lapel of a jacket.
Where does boutonniere come from?
Borrowed from French boutonnière.
Words that rhyme with boutonniere
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of boutonniere.
Questions about saying boutonniere
How do you pronounce boutonniere?
Say boo-tuh-NEE-er. The American pronunciation is /ˌbutəˈniɚ/. In British English it is /ˌbuːtəˈniːə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in boutonniere?
Boutonniere has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEE). Broken into parts: boo · tuh · NEE · er.
Is boutonniere 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 /ˌbuːtəˈniːə/ (boo-tuh-NEE-uh).