How to pronounce manatee
Say it like MAN-uh-tee. Manatee has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce manatee. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAN
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Manatee pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of manatee
American and British speakers say manatee in essentially the same way: /ˈmænəˌti/ in the US and /ˈmænəˌtiː/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAN-uh-tee.
What does manatee mean?
- A mostly herbivorous sirenian of the genus Trichechus, having a paddle-like tail and nails on their flippers, found in tropical regions.
Where does manatee come from?
Borrowed from Spanish manatí, from a Cariban-language term meaning ‘breast’, ultimately from Proto-Cariban *manatɨ; compare Kari'na manaty, Trió manatï, Apalaí manaty, Akawaio manatï, Pemon manatü, Macushi manatî.
Words that rhyme with manatee
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of manatee.
Questions about saying manatee
How do you pronounce manatee?
Say MAN-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmænəˌti/. In British English it is /ˈmænəˌtiː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in manatee?
Manatee has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAN). Broken into parts: MAN · uh · tee.
Do Americans and Brits say manatee the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmænəˌti/ and the British form is /ˈmænəˌtiː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.