How to pronounce heterosexual
Say it like het-uh-roh-SEK-shuh-wul. Heterosexual has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (SEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce heterosexual. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- het
- uh
- roh
- SEK
- shuh
- wul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heterosexual pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- hetGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- SEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- wulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of heterosexual
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: het-uh-ruh-SEK-shoo-ul.
What does heterosexual mean?
- A heterosexual person, or other heterosexual organism.
- Sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex.
- Between two people of different sex.
Where does heterosexual come from?
From hetero- + -sexual.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying heterosexual
How do you pronounce heterosexual?
Say het-uh-roh-SEK-shuh-wul. The American pronunciation is /ˌhɛtəroʊˈsɛkʃəwəl/. In British English it is /ˌhɛtərəˈsɛkʃuəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heterosexual?
Heterosexual has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (SEK). Broken into parts: het · uh · roh · SEK · shuh · wul.
Is heterosexual pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌhɛtərəˈsɛkʃuəl/ (het-uh-ruh-SEK-shoo-ul).