How to pronounce groundwater
Say it like GROWN-dwah-ter. Groundwater has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GROWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce groundwater. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GROWN
- dwah
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Groundwater pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GROWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- dwahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of groundwater
- 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: GROWN-dwaw-tuh.
What does groundwater mean?
- Water that exists beneath the earth's surface in underground streams and aquifers.
Where does groundwater come from?
From ground + water.
Questions about saying groundwater
How do you pronounce groundwater?
Say GROWN-dwah-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡraʊnˌdwɑtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈɡraʊnˌdwɔːtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in groundwater?
Groundwater has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GROWN). Broken into parts: GROWN · dwah · ter.
Is groundwater 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 /ˈɡraʊnˌdwɔːtə/ (GROWN-dwaw-tuh).