How to pronounce flibbertigibbet
Say it like FLIB-er-tee-jib-it. Flibbertigibbet has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FLIB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce flibbertigibbet. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FLIB
- er
- tee
- jib
- it
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Flibbertigibbet pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FLIBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- jibGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- itKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of flibbertigibbet
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 4.
- 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: flib-uh-tee-JIB-it.
What does flibbertigibbet mean?
- An offbeat, skittish person; especially said of a young woman.
- A flighty person; someone regarded as silly, irresponsible, or scatterbrained, especially someone who chatters or gossips.
Where does flibbertigibbet come from?
Alternatively (but far less likely), an alteration of flibbergib (“toady, sycophant”), derived potentially from an Old Norse *fleipra-geipa(re) (“babbler of nonsense”).
Questions about saying flibbertigibbet
How do you pronounce flibbertigibbet?
Say FLIB-er-tee-jib-it. The American pronunciation is /ˈflɪbɚtiˌdʒɪbɪt/. In British English it is /ˌflɪbətiˈdʒɪbɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in flibbertigibbet?
Flibbertigibbet has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FLIB). Broken into parts: FLIB · er · tee · jib · it.
Is flibbertigibbet pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 4. The British form is /ˌflɪbətiˈdʒɪbɪt/ (flib-uh-tee-JIB-it).