How to pronounce mattress
Say it like MAT-rus. Mattress has two 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 mattress. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAT
- rus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mattress 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.
- rusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of mattress
American and British speakers say mattress in essentially the same way: /ˈmætrəs/ in the US and /ˈmætrɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAT-ris.
What does mattress mean?
- a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed
Questions about saying mattress
How do you pronounce mattress?
Say MAT-rus. The American pronunciation is /ˈmætrəs/. In British English it is /ˈmætrɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mattress?
Mattress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAT). Broken into parts: MAT · rus.
Do Americans and Brits say mattress the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmætrəs/ and the British form is /ˈmætrɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.