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How to pronounce maelstrom

Say it like MAYL-strum. Maelstrom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAYL).

VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈmeɪlstrəm/MAYL-strum
UK British/ˈmeɪlstrəm/MAYL-strum
  • MAYL
  • strum
  • Main stress
  • Lighter stress
  • Unstressed

Maelstrom pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

  1. MAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
  2. strumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.

American vs British pronunciation of maelstrom

American and British speakers say maelstrom in essentially the same way: /ˈmeɪlstrəm/ in the US and /ˈmeɪlstrəm/ in the UK.

British respelling: MAYL-strum.

What does maelstrom mean?

noun
  1. A large and violent whirlpool.
  2. A chaotic or turbulent situation.

Where does maelstrom come from?

* Swedish malström

Similar and opposite words

Similar meaning

Questions about saying maelstrom

How do you pronounce maelstrom?

Say MAYL-strum. The American pronunciation is /ˈmeɪlstrəm/. In British English it is /ˈmeɪlstrəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

How many syllables are in maelstrom?

Maelstrom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAYL). Broken into parts: MAYL · strum.

Do Americans and Brits say maelstrom the same way?

Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmeɪlstrəm/ and the British form is /ˈmeɪlstrəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.

Pronunciation from CMUdict and Wiktionary; meaning and origin adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).