How to pronounce intestine
Say it like in-TES-tun. Intestine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intestine. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TES
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intestine 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.
- TESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of intestine
American and British speakers say intestine in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈtɛstən/ in the US and /ˌɪnˈtɛstən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-TES-tun.
What does intestine mean?
- The alimentary canal of an animal through which food passes after having passed all stomachs.
- One of certain subdivisions of this part of the alimentary canal, such as the small or large intestine in human beings.
Where does intestine come from?
From Latin intestīnum, neuter of intestīnus (“internal”), as Etymology 2, below.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying intestine
How do you pronounce intestine?
Say in-TES-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈtɛstən/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈtɛstən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intestine?
Intestine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TES). Broken into parts: in · TES · tun.
Do Americans and Brits say intestine the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈtɛstən/ and the British form is /ˌɪnˈtɛstən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.