How to pronounce ether
Say it like EE-ther. Ether has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
- EE
- ther
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ether pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- therKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of ether
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: EE-thuh.
What does ether mean?
- The medium breathed by human beings; the air.
- The sky, the heavens; the void, nothingness.
- The atmosphere or space as a medium for broadcasting radio and television signals; also, a notional space through which Internet and other digital communications take place; cyberspace.
- To viciously humiliate or insult.“The battle rapper ethered his opponent and caused him to slink away in shame.”
- Alternative letter-case form of Ether.
Where does ether come from?
The English word is cognate with Italian ether, ethera (both obsolete), etere, Middle Dutch ether (modern Dutch aether (obsolete), ether), German Äther, Ether, Portuguese éter, Spanish éter.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- abase
- abash
- confuse
- quintessence
- aether
- ethoxyethane
- divinyl ether
- vinyl ether
Words that sound like ether
Questions about saying ether
How do you pronounce ether?
Say EE-ther. The American pronunciation is /ˈiθɚ/. In British English it is /ˈiːθə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ether?
Ether has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · ther.
Is ether 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 /ˈiːθə/ (EE-thuh).
What words sound the same as ether?
Ether sounds the same as aether in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.