How to pronounce holster
Say it like HOHL-ster. Holster has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce holster. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOHL
- ster
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Holster pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- sterKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of holster
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOHL-stuh.
What does holster mean?
- A case for carrying a tool, particularly a gun, safely and accessibly.
- A belt with loops or slots for carrying small tools or other equipment.
- To put something in a holster.
Where does holster come from?
Cognate with Old English heolstor (“a covering, veil, hiding-place”), Danish hylster (“pistol case, envelope”), Icelandic hulstur (“sheath”), Gothic 𐌷𐌿𐌻𐌹𐍃𐍄𐍂 (hulistr, “covering”).
Words that rhyme with holster
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of holster.
Questions about saying holster
How do you pronounce holster?
Say HOHL-ster. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊlstɚ/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊlstə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in holster?
Holster has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHL). Broken into parts: HOHL · ster.
Is holster 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 /ˈhəʊlstə/ (HOHL-stuh).