How to pronounce culture
Say it like KUHL-cher. Culture has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce culture. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUHL
- cher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Culture pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- cherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of culture
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KUHL-chuh.
What does culture mean?
- a particular society at a particular time and place“early Mayan civilization”
- the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group
- all the knowledge and values shared by a society
- grow in a special preparation“the biologist grows microorganisms”
Where does culture come from?
From Middle French culture (“cultivation; culture”), from Latin cultūra (“cultivation; culture”), from cultus, perfect passive participle of colō (“till, cultivate, to grow, worship”) (related to colōnus and colōnia), from Proto-Indo-Europe
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with culture
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of culture.
Questions about saying culture
How do you pronounce culture?
Say KUHL-cher. The American pronunciation is /ˈkʌltʃɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkʌltʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in culture?
Culture has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHL). Broken into parts: KUHL · cher.
Is culture 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 /ˈkʌltʃə/ (KUHL-chuh).