How to pronounce mesquite
Say it like MES-keet. Mesquite has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mesquite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MES
- keet
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mesquite pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- keetGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of mesquite
American and British speakers say mesquite in essentially the same way: /ˈmɛsˌkit/ in the US and /ˈmɛsˌkiːt/ in the UK.
British respelling: MES-keet.
What does mesquite mean?
- Any of several deciduous trees of the genus Prosopis found in America, and used as forage, which have long, beige seed and bean pods which may be dried and ground into a sweet, nutty flour.
- The wood of these trees, used for smoking food, or charcoal made from this wood.
- Country or land dominated by mesquite trees.
Where does mesquite come from?
Borrowed from Spanish mezquite, mizquite, from Nahuatl mizquitl (“the mesquite tree”).
Questions about saying mesquite
How do you pronounce mesquite?
Say MES-keet. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɛsˌkit/. In British English it is /ˈmɛsˌkiːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mesquite?
Mesquite has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MES). Broken into parts: MES · keet.
Do Americans and Brits say mesquite the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɛsˌkit/ and the British form is /ˈmɛsˌkiːt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.