How to pronounce carpenter
Say it like KAR-pun-ter. Carpenter has three 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 carpenter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAR
- pun
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carpenter 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.
- punKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of carpenter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAH-pun-tuh.
What does carpenter mean?
- a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
- work as a carpenter
Where does carpenter come from?
Displaced native Old English trēowwyrhta (literally “tree worker”).
Questions about saying carpenter
How do you pronounce carpenter?
Say KAR-pun-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑrpəntɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkɑːpəntə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carpenter?
Carpenter has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR). Broken into parts: KAR · pun · ter.
Is carpenter 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 /ˈkɑːpəntə/ (KAH-pun-tuh).