How to pronounce cantankerous
Say it like kan-TANG-kuh-rus. Cantankerous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TANG).
- kan
- TANG
- kuh
- rus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cantankerous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kanKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- TANGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cantankerous
American and British speakers say cantankerous in essentially the same way: /kænˈtæŋkərəs/ in the US and /kænˈtæŋkərəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: kan-TANG-kuh-rus.
What does cantankerous mean?
- Given to or marked by an ill-tempered, quarrelsome nature; ill-tempered, cranky, crabby.
Where does cantankerous come from?
Perhaps derived from earlier contenkerous, from contentious + rancorous.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- cranky
- crotchety
- atrabilious
- bloody-minded
- ornery
Questions about saying cantankerous
How do you pronounce cantankerous?
Say kan-TANG-kuh-rus. The American pronunciation is /kænˈtæŋkərəs/. In British English it is /kænˈtæŋkərəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cantankerous?
Cantankerous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TANG). Broken into parts: kan · TANG · kuh · rus.
Do Americans and Brits say cantankerous the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kænˈtæŋkərəs/ and the British form is /kænˈtæŋkərəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.