How to pronounce icebreaker
Say it like EYES-bray-ker. Icebreaker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce icebreaker. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EYES
- bray
- ker
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Icebreaker pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EYESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- brayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of icebreaker
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: EYES-bray-kuh.
What does icebreaker mean?
- A ship designed to break through ice so that it, or other ships coming behind, can navigate on frozen seas.“The steel hulls of ice-breakers are much thicker than those of standard vessels.”
- A game, activity, humorous anecdote, etc., designed to ease tension and encourage interaction among individuals in a situation where they do not know each other well.“The new college hallmates were awkward with each other at first, but after a game of charades as an icebreaker, they were laughing like old friends.”
- A lively song and dance routine at the start of a musical.
Where does icebreaker come from?
From ice + breaker, in the figurative sense from the expression to break the ice.
Questions about saying icebreaker
How do you pronounce icebreaker?
Say EYES-bray-ker. The American pronunciation is /ˈaɪsˌbreɪkər/. In British English it is /ˈaɪsˌbreɪkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in icebreaker?
Icebreaker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYES). Broken into parts: EYES · bray · ker.
Is icebreaker 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 /ˈaɪsˌbreɪkə/ (EYES-bray-kuh).