How to pronounce kerosene
Say it like KER-uh-seen. Kerosene has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KER).
- KER
- uh
- seen
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kerosene pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seenGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of kerosene
American and British speakers say kerosene in essentially the same way: /ˈkɛrəˌsin/ in the US and /ˈkɛrəsiːn/ in the UK.
British respelling: KER-uh-seen.
What does kerosene mean?
- A thin, often colorless or blue or straw-colored petroleum-based fuel, heavier than gasoline/petrol or naphtha but lighter than diesel, used primarily as jet fuel but also for heating and lighting in some remote or impoverished areas.“The kerosene lasted all winter, so the furnace kept us always warm.”
Where does kerosene come from?
An older term for kerosene was carbon oil.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- paraffin
- kero
- kerosine
- lamp oil
- coal oil
Questions about saying kerosene
How do you pronounce kerosene?
Say KER-uh-seen. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɛrəˌsin/. In British English it is /ˈkɛrəsiːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kerosene?
Kerosene has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KER). Broken into parts: KER · uh · seen.
Do Americans and Brits say kerosene the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkɛrəˌsin/ and the British form is /ˈkɛrəsiːn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.