How to pronounce jitterbug
Say it like JIT-er-buhg. Jitterbug has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce jitterbug. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JIT
- er
- buhg
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Jitterbug pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- buhgGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of jitterbug
- 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: JIT-uh-buhg.
What does jitterbug mean?
- A nervous or jittery person.
- A jazz musician or aficionado.
- An uptempo jazz or swing dance which embellishes on the two-step pattern and frequently incorporates acrobatic style swing steps.
- To dance the jitterbug.
Where does jitterbug come from?
From jitter + bug, after the 1934 Cab Calloway song “Jitter Bug”.
Questions about saying jitterbug
How do you pronounce jitterbug?
Say JIT-er-buhg. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒɪtɚˌbʌɡ/. In British English it is /ˈdʒɪtəˌbʌɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in jitterbug?
Jitterbug has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JIT). Broken into parts: JIT · er · buhg.
Is jitterbug 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 /ˈdʒɪtəˌbʌɡ/ (JIT-uh-buhg).