How to pronounce dorsum
Say it like DOR-sum. Dorsum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dorsum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOR
- sum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dorsum 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.
- sumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of dorsum
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DAW-sum.
What does dorsum mean?
- The back of the tongue, used for articulating dorsal consonants.
- The top of the foot or the back of the hand.
- A ridge on a hill, or on the surface of a planet or moon.
Where does dorsum come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin dorsum (“the back”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dorsum
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dorsum.
Questions about saying dorsum
How do you pronounce dorsum?
Say DOR-sum. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɔrsəm/. In British English it is /ˈdɔːsəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dorsum?
Dorsum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOR). Broken into parts: DOR · sum.
Is dorsum 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 /ˈdɔːsəm/ (DAW-sum).