How to pronounce lottery
Say it like LOT-uh-ree. Lottery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lottery. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOT
- uh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lottery pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOTSay 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.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of lottery
- 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: LOT-uh-ree.
What does lottery mean?
- something that is regarded as a chance event“the election was just a lottery to them”
- players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots
Where does lottery come from?
Borrowed from Italian lotteria, from the same root as Old English hlot (cognate with English lot).
Words that rhyme with lottery
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lottery.
Questions about saying lottery
How do you pronounce lottery?
Say LOT-uh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɑtəri/. In British English it is /ˈlɒtəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lottery?
Lottery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOT). Broken into parts: LOT · uh · ree.
Is lottery 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 /ˈlɒtəri/ (LOT-uh-ree).