How to pronounce Mediterranean
Say it like med-uh-tuh-RAY-nee-un. Mediterranean has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Mediterranean. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- med
- uh
- tuh
- RAY
- nee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mediterranean pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- medGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Mediterranean
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: med-ih-tuh-RAY-nee-un.
What does Mediterranean mean?
- A region of Southern Europe and North Africa and West Asia. The region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.“vacationing in the Mediterranean”
Where does Mediterranean come from?
From Latin mediterrāneus (“inland”, from medius (“middle”) + terra (“earth, land”) + -āneus (adjectival suffix)) + -an.
Words that rhyme with Mediterranean
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Mediterranean.
Questions about saying Mediterranean
How do you pronounce Mediterranean?
Say med-uh-tuh-RAY-nee-un. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɛdətəˈreɪniən/. In British English it is /ˌmɛdɪtəˈreɪniən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Mediterranean?
Mediterranean has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RAY). Broken into parts: med · uh · tuh · RAY · nee · un.
Is Mediterranean 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 /ˌmɛdɪtəˈreɪniən/ (med-ih-tuh-RAY-nee-un).