How to pronounce caterpillar
Say it like KAT-uh-pil-er. Caterpillar has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce caterpillar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAT
- uh
- pil
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caterpillar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- pilGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of caterpillar
- 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: KAT-uh-pil-uh.
What does caterpillar mean?
- The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.“The bird just ate that green caterpillar.”
- A vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.
- A set of subtrees of a tree.
- To move along slowly, drawing one's body up, in the manner of a caterpillar.
Where does caterpillar come from?
From Middle English catirpel, catirpeller, probably from Old Northern French catepeluse (Modern French chatte + pileuse (“hairy cat”)), from Late Latin catta + pilōsa.
Questions about saying caterpillar
How do you pronounce caterpillar?
Say KAT-uh-pil-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈkætəˌpɪlɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkætəˌpɪlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caterpillar?
Caterpillar has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT). Broken into parts: KAT · uh · pil · er.
Is caterpillar 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 /ˈkætəˌpɪlə/ (KAT-uh-pil-uh).