How to pronounce fortress
Say it like FOR-trus. Fortress 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 fortress. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FOR
- trus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fortress 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.
- trusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of fortress
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAW-trus.
What does fortress mean?
- a fortified defensive structure
Where does fortress come from?
Early 14 c., from Old French forteresce, forteresse, forterece (“strong place, fortification”), variant of fortelesse, from Medieval Latin fortalitia, from Latin fortis (“strong”) (see fort) + -itia, added to adjectives to form nouns of quality or condition.
Questions about saying fortress
How do you pronounce fortress?
Say FOR-trus. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɔrtrəs/. In British English it is /ˈfɔːtrəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fortress?
Fortress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR). Broken into parts: FOR · trus.
Is fortress 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 /ˈfɔːtrəs/ (FAW-trus).