How to pronounce cafeteria
Say it like kaf-uh-TIR-ee-uh. Cafeteria has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TIR).
- kaf
- uh
- TIR
- ee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cafeteria pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kafGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cafeteria
American and British speakers say cafeteria in essentially the same way: /ˌkæfəˈtɪriə/ in the US and /ˌkæfəˈtɪəriə/ in the UK.
British respelling: kaf-uh-TEER-ree-uh.
What does cafeteria mean?
- A restaurant in which customers select their food at a counter then carry it on a tray to a table to eat.
- A dining area in an institution where meals may be purchased (as above), provided, or brought in from elsewhere.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with cafeteria
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cafeteria.
Questions about saying cafeteria
How do you pronounce cafeteria?
Say kaf-uh-TIR-ee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌkæfəˈtɪriə/. In British English it is /ˌkæfəˈtɪəriə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cafeteria?
Cafeteria has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TIR). Broken into parts: kaf · uh · TIR · ee · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say cafeteria the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌkæfəˈtɪriə/ and the British form is /ˌkæfəˈtɪəriə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.