How to pronounce lunatic
Say it like LOO-nuh-tik. Lunatic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lunatic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOO
- nuh
- tik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lunatic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tikGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of lunatic
American and British speakers say lunatic in essentially the same way: /ˈlunəˌtɪk/ in the US and /ˈluːnəˌtɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: LOO-nuh-tik.
What does lunatic mean?
- Crazed, mad, insane, demented.
- Relating to the Moon; lunar.
- Influenced or affected by the Moon.
- An insane person.
Where does lunatic come from?
From Middle English lunatik, from Old French lunatique, from Late Latin lunaticus (“moonstruck”), derived from Latin luna (“moon”), the connection stemming from the belief that changes of the moon caused intermittent insanity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying lunatic
How do you pronounce lunatic?
Say LOO-nuh-tik. The American pronunciation is /ˈlunəˌtɪk/. In British English it is /ˈluːnəˌtɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lunatic?
Lunatic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOO). Broken into parts: LOO · nuh · tik.
Do Americans and Brits say lunatic the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlunəˌtɪk/ and the British form is /ˈluːnəˌtɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.