How to pronounce matey
Say it like MAY-tee. Matey has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce matey. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAY
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Matey pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of matey
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: MAY-tee.
What does matey mean?
- Sociable or friendly.“You've been very matey with that new bird.”
- Diminutive of mate, friend. How to pronounce mate“Hello, matey, just back from the pub?”
- A fellow sailor; often used affectedly, especially when portraying a pirate.“Ahoy mateys, scrub the deck!”
- A dockyard worker.
- Alternative form of maty (“native house servant in India”).
Where does matey come from?
From mate + -y.
Words that rhyme with matey
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of matey.
Questions about saying matey
How do you pronounce matey?
Say MAY-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmeɪti/. In British English it is /ˈmeɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in matey?
Matey has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAY). Broken into parts: MAY · tee.
Is matey pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈmeɪti/ (MAY-tee).