How to pronounce miniature
Say it like MIN-ee-uh-choor. Miniature has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce miniature. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MIN
- ee
- uh
- choor
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Miniature pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- choorGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of miniature
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MIN-ih-chuh.
What does miniature mean?
- painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
- a copy that reproduces a person or thing in greatly reduced size
- being on a very small scale“a miniature camera”
Where does miniature come from?
Borrowed from Italian miniatura (“manuscript illumination”), from miniare (“to illuminate”), from Latin miniō (“to color red”), from minium (“red lead, minium”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying miniature
How do you pronounce miniature?
Say MIN-ee-uh-choor. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪniəˌtʃʊr/. In British English it is /ˈmɪnɪtʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in miniature?
Miniature has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIN). Broken into parts: MIN · ee · uh · choor.
Is miniature pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ˈmɪnɪtʃə/ (MIN-ih-chuh).