How to pronounce janitor
Say it like JAN-uh-ter. Janitor has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce janitor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JAN
- uh
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Janitor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of janitor
- 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: JAN-ih-tuh.
What does janitor mean?
- Someone who looks after the maintenance and cleaning of a public building.
- A caretaker or custodian; someone who maintains a school building specifically and may serve other administrative roles (the term caretaker is also used in Hong Kong, particularly in ESF and independent British schools).
- A doorman.
Where does janitor come from?
From Latin ianitor (“doorkeeper”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying janitor
How do you pronounce janitor?
Say JAN-uh-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒænətɚ/. In British English it is /ˈdʒænɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in janitor?
Janitor has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JAN). Broken into parts: JAN · uh · ter.
Is janitor 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 /ˈdʒænɪtə/ (JAN-ih-tuh).