How to pronounce matinee
Say it like MAT-ih-nay. Matinee 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 matinee. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAT
- ih
- nay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Matinee 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.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of matinee
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: MAT-ih-nay.
What does matinee mean?
- A showing of a movie, sporting event, or theatrical performance in the morning or afternoon.
- A woman's dress to be worn in the morning or before dinner.
- To put on a matinee performance (of).
Where does matinee come from?
From French matinée.
Questions about saying matinee
How do you pronounce matinee?
Say MAT-ih-nay. The American pronunciation is /ˈmætɪˌneɪ/. In British English it is /ˈmætɪˌneɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in matinee?
Matinee has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAT). Broken into parts: MAT · ih · nay.
Is matinee 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 /ˈmætɪˌneɪ/ (MAT-ih-nay).