How to pronounce intermittent
Say it like in-ter-MIT-unt. Intermittent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intermittent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- ter
- MIT
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intermittent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- MITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of intermittent
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-tuh-MIT-unt.
What does intermittent mean?
- Stopping and starting, occurring, or presenting at intervals; coming after a particular time span.“The day was cloudy with intermittent rain.”
- Existing only for certain seasons; that is, being dry for part of the year.“The area has many intermittent lakes and streams.”
- An intermittent fever or disease.
Where does intermittent come from?
From Middle French intermittent, from Latin intermittens (“sending between”), from prefix inter- (“among, on”) + mittens (“sending”), from mittere (“to send”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying intermittent
How do you pronounce intermittent?
Say in-ter-MIT-unt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪntɚˈmɪtənt/. In British English it is /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intermittent?
Intermittent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MIT). Broken into parts: in · ter · MIT · unt.
Is intermittent 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 /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt/ (in-tuh-MIT-unt).