How to pronounce headwaters
Say it like HED-waw-terz. Headwaters has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce headwaters. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HED
- waw
- terz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Headwaters pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- wawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of headwaters
- 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: HED-waw-tuz.
What does headwaters mean?
- The source of a river, the set of streams that feed into the river's beginning.
Where does headwaters come from?
From head + waters.
Questions about saying headwaters
How do you pronounce headwaters?
Say HED-waw-terz. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛˌdwɔtɚz/. In British English it is /ˈhɛˌdwɔːtəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in headwaters?
Headwaters has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED). Broken into parts: HED · waw · terz.
Is headwaters 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 /ˈhɛˌdwɔːtəz/ (HED-waw-tuz).