How to pronounce detour
Say it like DEE-toor. Detour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce detour. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEE
- toor
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Detour pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- toorKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of detour
- 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: DEE-toor.
Other ways to say detour
Detour also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- dih-TOOR /dɪˈtʊr/
What does detour mean?
- A diversion or deviation from one's original route.
- A temporary alternative route available to motorists away from the usual route due to a closure for repairs, dealing with an accident, or some event rendering the usual route unusable.
- To make a detour.
- To direct or send on a detour.
Where does detour come from?
Borrowed from French détour, from détourner (“turn away”).
Questions about saying detour
How do you pronounce detour?
Say DEE-toor. The American pronunciation is /ˈditʊr/. In British English it is /ˈdiːtʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in detour?
Detour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE). Broken into parts: DEE · toor.
Is detour 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 /ˈdiːtʊə/ (DEE-toor).