How to pronounce hostage
Say it like HAH-stij. Hostage has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hostage. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAH
- stij
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hostage pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- stijKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of hostage
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: HOS-tij.
What does hostage mean?
- a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms
Where does hostage come from?
From Middle English hostage, ostage, from Old French hostage, ostage.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying hostage
How do you pronounce hostage?
Say HAH-stij. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑstɪdʒ/. In British English it is /ˈhɒstɪdʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hostage?
Hostage has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH). Broken into parts: HAH · stij.
Is hostage pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈhɒstɪdʒ/ (HOS-tij).