How to pronounce distemper
Say it like dih-STEM-per. Distemper has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distemper. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- STEM
- per
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distemper pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- STEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of distemper
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-STEM-puh.
What does distemper mean?
- A viral disease of animals, such as dogs and cats, characterized by fever, coughing and catarrh.
- A glue-based paint.
- A painting produced with this kind of paint.
- To temper or mix unduly; to make disproportionate; to change the due proportions of.
- To derange the functions of, whether bodily, mental, or spiritual; to disorder; to disease.
- To deprive of temper or moderation; to disturb; to ruffle; to make disaffected, ill-humored, or malignant.
Where does distemper come from?
From Old French destemprer, from Latin distemperare.
Questions about saying distemper
How do you pronounce distemper?
Say dih-STEM-per. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈstɛmpɚ/. In British English it is /dɪˈstɛmpə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distemper?
Distemper has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEM). Broken into parts: dih · STEM · per.
Is distemper 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 /dɪˈstɛmpə/ (dih-STEM-puh).