How to pronounce matriarch
Say it like MAY-tree-ark. Matriarch has three 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 matriarch. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAY
- tree
- ark
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Matriarch 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.
- treeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- arkKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of matriarch
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MAY-trih-ahk.
What does matriarch mean?
- A female leader of a family, a tribe or an ethnic or religious group.
- The dominant female in a family group of elephants.
- A strong and domineering older woman; a battle axe.
Words that rhyme with matriarch
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of matriarch.
Questions about saying matriarch
How do you pronounce matriarch?
Say MAY-tree-ark. The American pronunciation is /ˈmeɪtriɑrk/. In British English it is /ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in matriarch?
Matriarch has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAY). Broken into parts: MAY · tree · ark.
Is matriarch 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 /ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːk/ (MAY-trih-ahk).