How to pronounce carburetor
Say it like KAR-byuh-ray-ter. Carburetor has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce carburetor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAR
- byuh
- ray
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carburetor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- byuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of carburetor
- 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: KAH-byuh-ret-uh.
What does carburetor mean?
- A device in an internal combustion engine where fuel is vaporized and mixed with air prior to ignition.
- A water pipe or bong; a device or contrivance for mixing air with burning cannabis or cocaine.
Where does carburetor come from?
Attested from 1862, from carburet (“enrich an illuminating gas with carbon-rich fuel”) + -or.
Questions about saying carburetor
How do you pronounce carburetor?
Say KAR-byuh-ray-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑrbjəˌreɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkɑːbjəˌrɛtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carburetor?
Carburetor has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR). Broken into parts: KAR · byuh · ray · ter.
Is carburetor 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 /ˈkɑːbjəˌrɛtə/ (KAH-byuh-ret-uh).