How to pronounce convertible
Say it like kun-VUR-tuh-bul. Convertible has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce convertible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- VUR
- tuh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Convertible 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.
- VURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of convertible
- 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: kun-VUR-tih-bul.
What does convertible mean?
- a car that has top that can be folded or removed
- a corporate security (usually bonds or preferred stock) that can be exchanged for another form of security (usually common stock)
- a sofa that can be converted into a bed
- capable of being exchanged for or replaced by something of equal value“convertible securities”
- designed to be changed from one use or form to another“a convertible sofa”“a convertible coupe”
- capable of being changed in substance as if by alchemy“is lead really transmutable into gold?”“ideas translatable into reality”
Where does convertible come from?
From Old French convertible, from Late Latin convertibilis (“interchangeable”), from Latin convertere (“to turn back, to turn over, to turn around, to turn upside down”), from con- (“with, together”) + vertere (“to turn”), + -ibilis (“-ible: able to”).
Questions about saying convertible
How do you pronounce convertible?
Say kun-VUR-tuh-bul. The American pronunciation is /kənˈvɝtəbəl/. In British English it is /kənˈvɜːtɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in convertible?
Convertible has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VUR). Broken into parts: kun · VUR · tuh · bul.
Is convertible 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 /kənˈvɜːtɪbəl/ (kun-VUR-tih-bul).