How to pronounce catatonic
Say it like kat-uh-TAH-nik. Catatonic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce catatonic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kat
- uh
- TAH
- nik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Catatonic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- katKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- nikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of catatonic
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kat-uh-TON-ik.
What does catatonic mean?
- Of, relating to, or suffering from catatonia; having a tendency to remain in a rigid state of stupor for long periods which give way to short periods of extreme agitation.
- Motionless and unresponsive, as from shock; withdrawn.
- A patient in a state of catatonia.
Words that rhyme with catatonic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of catatonic.
Questions about saying catatonic
How do you pronounce catatonic?
Say kat-uh-TAH-nik. The American pronunciation is /kætəˈtɑnɪk/. In British English it is /kætəˈtɒnɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in catatonic?
Catatonic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAH). Broken into parts: kat · uh · TAH · nik.
Is catatonic pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /kætəˈtɒnɪk/ (kat-uh-TON-ik).