How to pronounce bowdlerize
Say it like BOWD-luh-ryze. Bowdlerize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOWD).
- BOWD
- luh
- ryze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bowdlerize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOWDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ryzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of bowdlerize
American and British speakers say bowdlerize in essentially the same way: /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/ in the US and /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: BOWD-luh-ryze.
What does bowdlerize mean?
- To remove or alter those parts of a text considered offensive, vulgar, or otherwise unseemly.“The bowdlerized version of the novel, while free of vulgarity, was also free of flavor.”
Where does bowdlerize come from?
From Bowdler + -ize; named after English physician Thomas Bowdler (1754–1825).
Questions about saying bowdlerize
How do you pronounce bowdlerize?
Say BOWD-luh-ryze. The American pronunciation is /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/. In British English it is /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bowdlerize?
Bowdlerize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOWD). Broken into parts: BOWD · luh · ryze.
Do Americans and Brits say bowdlerize the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/ and the British form is /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.