How to pronounce caterwaul
Say it like KAT-er-wawl. Caterwaul has three 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 caterwaul. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAT
- er
- wawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caterwaul 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.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- wawlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of caterwaul
- 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-wawl.
What does caterwaul mean?
- A yowling.
- A noisy quarrel.
- To cry as cats in heat; to make a harsh, offensive noise.
- To have a noisy argument, like cats.
Where does caterwaul come from?
From Middle English caterwrawen, from cater (“cat”) + wrawen, wrawlen (“cry like a cat”), equivalent to cat + waul.
Questions about saying caterwaul
How do you pronounce caterwaul?
Say KAT-er-wawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈkætɚwɔl/. In British English it is /ˈkætəwɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caterwaul?
Caterwaul has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT). Broken into parts: KAT · er · wawl.
Is caterwaul 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 /ˈkætəwɔːl/ (KAT-uh-wawl).