How to pronounce macadam
Say it like muh-KAD-um. Macadam has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce macadam. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- KAD
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Macadam pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of macadam
American and British speakers say macadam in essentially the same way: /məˈkædəm/ in the US and /məˈkædəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-KAD-um.
What does macadam mean?
- The surface of a road consisting of layers of crushed stone (usually tar-coated for modern traffic).
- Any road or street.
- To cover or surface with macadam.
Where does macadam come from?
Named after Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam (1756–1836), who invented the process of macadamization.
Words that rhyme with macadam
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of macadam.
Questions about saying macadam
How do you pronounce macadam?
Say muh-KAD-um. The American pronunciation is /məˈkædəm/. In British English it is /məˈkædəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in macadam?
Macadam has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAD). Broken into parts: muh · KAD · um.
Do Americans and Brits say macadam the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈkædəm/ and the British form is /məˈkædəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.