How to pronounce contraption
Say it like kun-TRAP-shun. Contraption has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contraption. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TRAP
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contraption 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.
- TRAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contraption
American and British speakers say contraption in essentially the same way: /kənˈtræpʃən/ in the US and /kənˈtræpʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TRAP-shun.
What does contraption mean?
- A machine that is complicated and precarious.
Where does contraption come from?
Possibly a Western US English dialectal word of unknown origin.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with contraption
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contraption.
Questions about saying contraption
How do you pronounce contraption?
Say kun-TRAP-shun. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtræpʃən/. In British English it is /kənˈtræpʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contraption?
Contraption has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAP). Broken into parts: kun · TRAP · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say contraption the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtræpʃən/ and the British form is /kənˈtræpʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.