How to pronounce contort
Say it like kun-TORT. Contort has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TORT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contort. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TORT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contort pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TORTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of contort
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kun-TAWT.
What does contort mean?
- To twist in a violent manner.“features contorted with fury”
- To twist into or as if into a strained shape or expression.
Where does contort come from?
Equivalent to con- + -tort; from Middle English, borrowed from Latin contortus, past participle of contorqueō, from com- + torqueō (“twist, turn”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with contort
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contort.
Questions about saying contort
How do you pronounce contort?
Say kun-TORT. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtɔrt/. In British English it is /kənˈtɔːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contort?
Contort has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TORT). Broken into parts: kun · TORT.
Is contort 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 /kənˈtɔːt/ (kun-TAWT).