How to pronounce buttercup
Say it like BUHT-er-kup. Buttercup has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUHT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce buttercup. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUHT
- er
- kup
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Buttercup pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BUHTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- kupKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of buttercup
- 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: BUHT-uh-kup.
What does buttercup mean?
- Any of many herbs, of the genus Ranunculus, having yellow flowers; the crowfoot.
- Any flower of the genus Narcissus; a daffodil.
- An affectionate or ironic term of address.
Where does buttercup come from?
From butter + cup. Both sense 1 and 2 are from the flowers' association with butter, from their yellow color.
Questions about saying buttercup
How do you pronounce buttercup?
Say BUHT-er-kup. The American pronunciation is /ˈbʌtɚkʌp/. In British English it is /ˈbʌtəkʌp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in buttercup?
Buttercup has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUHT). Broken into parts: BUHT · er · kup.
Is buttercup 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 /ˈbʌtəkʌp/ (BUHT-uh-kup).