How to pronounce caretaker
Say it like KAIR-tay-ker. Caretaker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce caretaker. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAIR
- tay
- ker
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caretaker pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of caretaker
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAIR-tay-kuh.
What does caretaker mean?
- Someone who takes care of a place or thing; someone looking after a place, or responsible for keeping it in good repair.“Her dad was a cemetery caretaker for many years. There was a lot of landscaping work. The gravedigging itself was done with backhoes.”
- Synonym of caregiver (“a person who provides care to another”).
- Temporary, on a short term basis.“Johnson had to be drafted in as the caretaker manager after Hewlett resigned without warning the day before the final.”
Where does caretaker come from?
From care + taker.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying caretaker
How do you pronounce caretaker?
Say KAIR-tay-ker. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɛrˌteɪkɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkɛəˌteɪkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caretaker?
Caretaker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAIR). Broken into parts: KAIR · tay · ker.
Is caretaker 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 /ˈkɛəˌteɪkə/ (KAIR-tay-kuh).