How to pronounce collector
Say it like kuh-LEK-ter. Collector has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce collector. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- LEK
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Collector pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of collector
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kuh-LEK-tuh.
What does collector mean?
- a person who collects things
- a person who is employed to collect payments (as for rent or taxes)
- a crater that has collected cosmic material hitting the earth
Where does collector come from?
Inherited from Middle English collectour, from Anglo-Norman collectour, from Late Latin collēctor, from Latin colligō (“to gather together”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with collector
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of collector.
Questions about saying collector
How do you pronounce collector?
Say kuh-LEK-ter. The American pronunciation is /kəˈlɛktɚ/. In British English it is /kəˈlɛktə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in collector?
Collector has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK). Broken into parts: kuh · LEK · ter.
Is collector 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 /kəˈlɛktə/ (kuh-LEK-tuh).