How to pronounce doctrinaire
Say it like dok-trih-NAIR. Doctrinaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce doctrinaire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dok
- trih
- NAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Doctrinaire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dokGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- trihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- NAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of doctrinaire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: dok-trih-NAIR.
What does doctrinaire mean?
- Stubbornly holding on to an idea without concern for practicalities or reality.
- A person who stubbornly holds to a philosophy or opinion regardless of its feasibility.
Where does doctrinaire come from?
Borrowed from French doctrinaire, from doctrine + -aire.
Words that rhyme with doctrinaire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of doctrinaire.
Questions about saying doctrinaire
How do you pronounce doctrinaire?
Say dok-trih-NAIR. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɑktrɪˈnɛr/. In British English it is /ˌdɒktrɪˈnɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in doctrinaire?
Doctrinaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAIR). Broken into parts: dok · trih · NAIR.
Is doctrinaire 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 /ˌdɒktrɪˈnɛə/ (dok-trih-NAIR).