How to pronounce dormitory
Say it like DOR-muh-tor-ee. Dormitory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOR).
- DOR
- muh
- tor
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dormitory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- torGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of dormitory
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DAW-mih-tree.
What does dormitory mean?
- A room containing a number of beds (and often some other furniture and/or utilities) for sleeping, often applied to student and backpacker accommodation of this kind.
- A building or part of a building which houses students, soldiers, monks etc. who sleep there and use communal further facilities.
- A dormitory town.
Where does dormitory come from?
From Middle English dormitory, dormytory, dormytorye, borrowed from Latin dormītōrium (“a sleeping-room”), from dormiō (“to sleep”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dormitory
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dormitory.
Questions about saying dormitory
How do you pronounce dormitory?
Say DOR-muh-tor-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɔrməˌtɔri/. In British English it is /ˈdɔːmɪtri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dormitory?
Dormitory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOR). Broken into parts: DOR · muh · tor · ee.
Is dormitory pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ˈdɔːmɪtri/ (DAW-mih-tree).