How to pronounce ferment
Say it like fer-MENT. Ferment has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MENT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ferment. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fer
- MENT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ferment pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- MENTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of ferment
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: fuh-MENT.
What does ferment mean?
- Something, such as a yeast or barm, that causes fermentation.
- A state of agitation or of turbulent change.
- A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation.
- To react, using fermentation; especially to produce alcohol by aging or by allowing yeast to act on sugars; to brew.
- To stir up, agitate, cause unrest or excitement in.
Where does ferment come from?
From Middle English ferment, from Middle French ferment, from Latin fermentāre (“to leaven, ferment”), from fermentum (“substance causing fermentation”), possibly from contraction of *fervimentum, from fervēre.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ferment
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ferment.
Questions about saying ferment
How do you pronounce ferment?
Say fer-MENT. The American pronunciation is /fɚˈmɛnt/. In British English it is /fəˈmɛnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ferment?
Ferment has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MENT). Broken into parts: fer · MENT.
Is ferment 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 /fəˈmɛnt/ (fuh-MENT).