How to pronounce caterpillars
Say it like KAT-uh-pil-erz. Caterpillars 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 caterpillars. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAT
- uh
- pil
- erz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caterpillars 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.
- erzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of caterpillars
- 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-uz.
What does caterpillars mean?
- plural of caterpillar How to pronounce caterpillar
- third-person singular simple present indicative of caterpillar How to pronounce caterpillar
Questions about saying caterpillars
How do you pronounce caterpillars?
Say KAT-uh-pil-erz. The American pronunciation is /ˈkætəˌpɪlɚz/. In British English it is /ˈkætəˌpɪləz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caterpillars?
Caterpillars has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT). Broken into parts: KAT · uh · pil · erz.
Is caterpillars 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 /ˈkætəˌpɪləz/ (KAT-uh-pil-uz).