How to pronounce masterpiece
Say it like MAS-ter-pees. Masterpiece has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce masterpiece. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAS
- ter
- pees
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Masterpiece pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- peesGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of masterpiece
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: MAH-stuh-pees.
What does masterpiece mean?
- the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman
- an outstanding achievement
Where does masterpiece come from?
From master + piece, a calque of Dutch meesterstuk or German Meisterstück (“masterpiece”).
Questions about saying masterpiece
How do you pronounce masterpiece?
Say MAS-ter-pees. The American pronunciation is /ˈmæstɚˌpis/. In British English it is /ˈmɑːstəˌpiːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in masterpiece?
Masterpiece has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAS). Broken into parts: MAS · ter · pees.
Is masterpiece pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɑːstəˌpiːs/ (MAH-stuh-pees).