How to pronounce instrument
Say it like IN-struh-munt. Instrument has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce instrument. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- struh
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Instrument pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- struhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of instrument
American and British speakers say instrument in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ in the US and /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-struh-munt.
What does instrument mean?
- a device that requires skill for proper use
- the means whereby some act is accomplished“my greed was the instrument of my destruction”“science has given us new tools to fight disease”
- a person used by another to gain an end
- equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling
- write an instrumental score for
- address a legal document to
Where does instrument come from?
From īnstruō (“build, construct; arrange”) + -mentum.
Questions about saying instrument
How do you pronounce instrument?
Say IN-struh-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnstrəmənt/. In British English it is /ˈɪnstrəmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in instrument?
Instrument has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · struh · munt.
Do Americans and Brits say instrument the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ and the British form is /ˈɪnstrəmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.