How to pronounce falter
Say it like FAWL-ter. Falter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce falter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAWL
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Falter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of falter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FOL-tuh.
What does falter mean?
- To waver or be unsteady; to weaken or trail off.
- To stammer; to utter with hesitation, or in a weak and trembling manner.
- To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; said of the mind or of thought.
- An unsteadiness.
Where does falter come from?
From Middle English falteren (“to stagger; be unsteady, tremble, quiver; to stammer; be entangled, get caught”), further origin unknown.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying falter
How do you pronounce falter?
Say FAWL-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɔltər/. In British English it is /ˈfɒltə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in falter?
Falter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAWL). Broken into parts: FAWL · ter.
Is falter 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 /ˈfɒltə/ (FOL-tuh).