How to pronounce gourmet
Say it like goor-MAY. Gourmet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gourmet. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- goor
- MAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The t is silent: 'gor-MAY' in the US, 'GOR-may' in Britain.
Gourmet pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- goorKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- MAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of gourmet
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: GOOR-may.
Other ways to say gourmet
Gourmet also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- GOOR-may /ˈɡʊrˌmeɪ/
What does gourmet mean?
- Fine; of superior quality.“We need to go to the gourmet grocery store to get the exotic ingredients for this recipe.”
- A connoisseur in eating and drinking; someone who takes their food seriously.
Where does gourmet come from?
Borrowed from French gourmet, from Middle French gourmet, from Old French groumet (“wine broker, valet in charge of wines, servant”) from groume, grommes (“wine-taster, manservant”), apparently from Middle English grom, grome (“boy, valet,
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with gourmet
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gourmet.
Questions about saying gourmet
How do you pronounce gourmet?
Say goor-MAY. The American pronunciation is /ɡʊrˈmeɪ/. In British English it is /ˈɡʊəˌmeɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gourmet?
Gourmet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAY). Broken into parts: goor · MAY.
Is gourmet pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈɡʊəˌmeɪ/ (GOOR-may).