How to pronounce halibut
Say it like HAL-uh-but. Halibut has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce halibut. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAL
- uh
- but
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Halibut pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- butKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of halibut
American and British speakers say halibut in essentially the same way: /ˈhæləbət/ in the US and /ˈhæləbət/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAL-uh-but.
What does halibut mean?
- A large flatfish of the genus Hippoglossus, which sometimes leaves the ocean floor and swims vertically.
Where does halibut come from?
From Middle English halibut, equivalent to holy + butt (“flatfish”), since the fish was often eaten on holy days.
Questions about saying halibut
How do you pronounce halibut?
Say HAL-uh-but. The American pronunciation is /ˈhæləbət/. In British English it is /ˈhæləbət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in halibut?
Halibut has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAL). Broken into parts: HAL · uh · but.
Do Americans and Brits say halibut the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhæləbət/ and the British form is /ˈhæləbət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.