How to pronounce Canterbury
Say it like KAN-ter-ber-ee. Canterbury has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Canterbury. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAN
- ter
- ber
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Canterbury pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- berGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of Canterbury
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAN-tuh-buh-rih.
What does Canterbury mean?
- a town in Kent in southeastern England; site of the cathedral where Thomas a Becket was martyred in 1170; seat of the archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church
Where does Canterbury come from?
From Canterbury.
Questions about saying Canterbury
How do you pronounce Canterbury?
Say KAN-ter-ber-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkæntɚˌbɛri/. In British English it is /ˈkæntəbərɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Canterbury?
Canterbury has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN). Broken into parts: KAN · ter · ber · ee.
Is Canterbury 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 /ˈkæntəbərɪ/ (KAN-tuh-buh-rih).