How to pronounce fertilizer
Say it like FUR-tuh-ly-zer. Fertilizer has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fertilizer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FUR
- tuh
- ly
- zer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fertilizer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- zerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of fertilizer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: FUR-tuh-ly-zuh.
What does fertilizer mean?
- A natural substance that is used to make the ground more suitable for growing plants.“The farmer spread fertilizer across the fields.”
- A chemical compound created to have the same effect.
Where does fertilizer come from?
From fertilize + -er.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- fertiliser
Questions about saying fertilizer
How do you pronounce fertilizer?
Say FUR-tuh-ly-zer. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɝtəˌlaɪzɚ/. In British English it is /ˈfɜːtəlaɪzə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fertilizer?
Fertilizer has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR). Broken into parts: FUR · tuh · ly · zer.
Is fertilizer 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 /ˈfɜːtəlaɪzə/ (FUR-tuh-ly-zuh).