How to pronounce gossamer
Say it like GOS-uh-mer. Gossamer has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gossamer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GOS
- uh
- mer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gossamer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- merKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of gossamer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: GOS-uh-muh.
What does gossamer mean?
- Tenuous, light, filmy or delicate.
- A fine film made up of cobwebs, seen floating in the air or caught on bushes, etc.
- A soft, sheer fabric.
- Anything delicate, light and flimsy.
Where does gossamer come from?
From Middle English gossomer, gosesomer, gossummer (attested since around 1300, and only in reference to webs or other light things), usually thought to derive from gos (“goose”) + somer (“summer”) and to have initially referred to a period
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying gossamer
How do you pronounce gossamer?
Say GOS-uh-mer. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡɑsəmɚ/. In British English it is /ˈɡɒsəmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gossamer?
Gossamer has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOS). Broken into parts: GOS · uh · mer.
Is gossamer 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 /ˈɡɒsəmə/ (GOS-uh-muh).