How to pronounce custodian
Say it like kuh-STOH-dee-un. Custodian has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce custodian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- STOH
- dee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Custodian pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of custodian
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: kuh-STOH-dee-un.
What does custodian mean?
- A person entrusted with the custody or care of something or someone; a caretaker or keeper.“After their parents' death, their aunt became the children's custodian.”
- An administrator.
- A gaolkeeper.
Where does custodian come from?
From a shortening of Latin custōdiānātus, from Latin custōdia (“a keeping, watch, guard, prison”), from custōs (“a keeper, watchman, guard”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying custodian
How do you pronounce custodian?
Say kuh-STOH-dee-un. The American pronunciation is /kəˈstoʊdiən/. In British English it is /kəˈstəʊdiən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in custodian?
Custodian has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STOH). Broken into parts: kuh · STOH · dee · un.
Is custodian pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /kəˈstəʊdiən/ (kuh-STOH-dee-un).