How to pronounce laudanum
Say it like LAW-duh-num. Laudanum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce laudanum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAW
- duh
- num
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Laudanum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- numKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of laudanum
American and British speakers say laudanum in essentially the same way: /ˈlɔdənəm/ in the US and /ˈlɔːdənəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: LAW-duh-num.
What does laudanum mean?
- Any of several tinctures of opium, once widely used for various medical purposes and as a recreational drug.
- To add laudanum to (a drink or the like).
- To cause (a person) to be high on laudanum.
Where does laudanum come from?
Used by Paracelsus to refer to ladanum gum, and to a compound recipe containing pearls, but apparently not to any preparation of opium; this modern sense was introduced by his followers (Sigerist 1941:540–1).
Questions about saying laudanum
How do you pronounce laudanum?
Say LAW-duh-num. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɔdənəm/. In British English it is /ˈlɔːdənəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in laudanum?
Laudanum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAW). Broken into parts: LAW · duh · num.
Do Americans and Brits say laudanum the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɔdənəm/ and the British form is /ˈlɔːdənəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.