How to pronounce lobotomy
Say it like luh-BOT-uh-mee. Lobotomy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lobotomy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- luh
- BOT
- uh
- mee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lobotomy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- meeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of lobotomy
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: luh-BOT-uh-mee.
What does lobotomy mean?
- An act of removing or separating, and often disregarding or forgetting, something.
Where does lobotomy come from?
From lob(e) + -otomy (a variant of -tomy (suffix denoting a surgical incision)).
Words that rhyme with lobotomy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lobotomy.
Questions about saying lobotomy
How do you pronounce lobotomy?
Say luh-BOT-uh-mee. The American pronunciation is /ləˈbɑtəmi/. In British English it is /ləˈbɒtəmi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lobotomy?
Lobotomy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOT). Broken into parts: luh · BOT · uh · mee.
Is lobotomy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ləˈbɒtəmi/ (luh-BOT-uh-mee).