How to pronounce forte
Say it like FOR-tay. Forte has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forte. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FOR
- tay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forte pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of forte
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAW-tay.
What does forte mean?
- A strength or talent; a strong point.“He writes respectably, but poetry is not his forte.”
- The strong part of a sword blade, close to the hilt.
- Loud.“This passage is forte, then there's a diminuendo to mezzo piano.”
- Loudly, as a dynamic in a piece of music.“The musicians played the passage forte.”
Where does forte come from?
Borrowed 1640–50; earlier fort < Middle French; disyllabic pronunciation by association with Italian forte, from Latin fortis (“strong”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying forte
How do you pronounce forte?
Say FOR-tay. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɔrteɪ/. In British English it is /ˈfɔːteɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forte?
Forte has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR). Broken into parts: FOR · tay.
Is forte 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 /ˈfɔːteɪ/ (FAW-tay).