How to pronounce bumblebee
Say it like BUHM-bul-bee. Bumblebee has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bumblebee. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUHM
- bul
- bee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bumblebee pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- beeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of bumblebee
American and British speakers say bumblebee in essentially the same way: /ˈbʌmbəlˌbi/ in the US and /ˈbʌmbəlˌbiː/ in the UK.
British respelling: BUHM-bul-bee.
What does bumblebee mean?
- Any of several species of large bee in the genus Bombus.
- A mid yellow, sometimes slightly orange.
- A layered drink with ice whose main ingredients are orange juice and espresso coffee.
Where does bumblebee come from?
1520s from bumble + bee, replacing Middle English humbul-be.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying bumblebee
How do you pronounce bumblebee?
Say BUHM-bul-bee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbʌmbəlˌbi/. In British English it is /ˈbʌmbəlˌbiː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bumblebee?
Bumblebee has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUHM). Broken into parts: BUHM · bul · bee.
Do Americans and Brits say bumblebee the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbʌmbəlˌbi/ and the British form is /ˈbʌmbəlˌbiː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.