How to pronounce matador
Say it like MAT-uh-dor. Matador has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce matador. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAT
- uh
- dor
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Matador pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MATSay 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.
- dorKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of matador
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: MAT-uh-daw.
What does matador mean?
- The person whose aim is to kill the bull in a bullfight.
- A certain game of dominoes in which four dominoes (the 4-3, 5-2, 6-1, and double blank), called matadors, may be played at any time in any way.
- The jack of clubs, or any other trump held in sequence with it, in the game of skat.
Where does matador come from?
Borrowed from Spanish matador (“killer”).
Questions about saying matador
How do you pronounce matador?
Say MAT-uh-dor. The American pronunciation is /ˈmætədɔr/. In British English it is /ˈmætədɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in matador?
Matador has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAT). Broken into parts: MAT · uh · dor.
Is matador 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 /ˈmætədɔː/ (MAT-uh-daw).