How to pronounce melatonin
Say it like mel-uh-TOH-nin. Melatonin has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce melatonin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mel
- uh
- TOH
- nin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Melatonin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- melGive 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.
- TOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- ninKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of melatonin
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: mel-uh-TOH-nin.
What does melatonin mean?
- A hormone, related to serotonin, that is secreted by the pineal gland, and stimulates color change in the skin of reptiles, and is involved in the sleep and wake and reproductive cycles in mammals.
- Any material similar in its chemistry and effect to the natural hormone.
Words that rhyme with melatonin
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of melatonin.
Questions about saying melatonin
How do you pronounce melatonin?
Say mel-uh-TOH-nin. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɛləˈtoʊnɪn/. In British English it is /ˌmɛləˈtəʊnɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in melatonin?
Melatonin has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOH). Broken into parts: mel · uh · TOH · nin.
Is melatonin pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌmɛləˈtəʊnɪn/ (mel-uh-TOH-nin).