How to pronounce curmudgeon
Say it like ker-MUHJ-un. Curmudgeon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MUHJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce curmudgeon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ker
- MUHJ
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Curmudgeon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- MUHJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of curmudgeon
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kur-MUHJ-un.
What does curmudgeon mean?
- An ill-tempered person full of stubborn ideas or opinions, often an older man.“There's a cranky curmudgeon working at the hospital who gives all the patients and other doctors flak.”
Where does curmudgeon come from?
The word is attested from the late 1500s in the forms curmudgeon and curmudgen, and during the 17th century in numerous spelling variants, including cormogeon, cormogion, cormoggian, cormudgeon, curmudgion, curmuggion, curmudgin, curr-mudgin, curre-megient.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with curmudgeon
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of curmudgeon.
Questions about saying curmudgeon
How do you pronounce curmudgeon?
Say ker-MUHJ-un. The American pronunciation is /kɚˈmʌdʒən/. In British English it is /kɜːˈmʌdʒən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in curmudgeon?
Curmudgeon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MUHJ). Broken into parts: ker · MUHJ · un.
Is curmudgeon 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 /kɜːˈmʌdʒən/ (kur-MUHJ-un).