How to pronounce burlesque
Say it like ber-LESK. Burlesque has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LESK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce burlesque. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ber
- LESK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Burlesque pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- LESKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of burlesque
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: buh-LESK.
What does burlesque mean?
- A derisive art form that mocks by imitation; a parody.
- A variety adult entertainment show, usually including titillation such as striptease, most common from the 1880s to the 1930s.
- A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross perversion.
- To make a burlesque parody of.
- To ridicule, or to make ludicrous by grotesque representation in action or in language.
- Parodical; parodic
Where does burlesque come from?
Borrowed from French burlesque, from Italian burlesco (“parodic”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with burlesque
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of burlesque.
Questions about saying burlesque
How do you pronounce burlesque?
Say ber-LESK. The American pronunciation is /bɚˈlɛsk/. In British English it is /bəˈlɛsk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in burlesque?
Burlesque has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LESK). Broken into parts: ber · LESK.
Is burlesque 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 /bəˈlɛsk/ (buh-LESK).