How to pronounce catfish
Say it like KAT-fish. Catfish has two 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 catfish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAT
- fish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Catfish 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.
- fishGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of catfish
American and British speakers say catfish in essentially the same way: /ˈkætˌfɪʃ/ in the US and /ˈkætˌfɪʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAT-fish.
What does catfish mean?
- Any fish of the order Siluriformes, mainly found in fresh water, lacking scales, and having barbels like whiskers around the mouth.
- The meat of such a fish, popular in the Southern U.S. and Central Europe.
- To fish for catfish.“I only use this rod for catfishing.”
Where does catfish come from?
From cat + fish. Likely so named for its prominent barbels like a cat's whiskers.
Questions about saying catfish
How do you pronounce catfish?
Say KAT-fish. The American pronunciation is /ˈkætˌfɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈkætˌfɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in catfish?
Catfish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT). Broken into parts: KAT · fish.
Do Americans and Brits say catfish the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkætˌfɪʃ/ and the British form is /ˈkætˌfɪʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.