How to pronounce hornet
Say it like HOR-nit. Hornet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hornet. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOR
- nit
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hornet pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- nitKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of hornet
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAW-nit.
What does hornet mean?
- Any large wasp of the genus Vespa, having a brown-and-yellow-striped body and the ability to inflict a serious sting.
- A person who pesters with petty but ceaseless attacks.
Where does hornet come from?
From Middle English hernet, from Old English hyrnetu, hyrnete, from Proto-West Germanic *hurnutu, from Proto-Germanic *hurznutō (compare German Hornisse), alteration of Proto-Germanic *hursulǭ (compare Dutch horzel), from Proto-Indo-Europea
Questions about saying hornet
How do you pronounce hornet?
Say HOR-nit. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɔrnɪt/. In British English it is /ˈhɔːnɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hornet?
Hornet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOR). Broken into parts: HOR · nit.
Is hornet 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 /ˈhɔːnɪt/ (HAW-nit).