How to pronounce minister
Say it like MIN-uh-ster. Minister has three 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 minister. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MIN
- uh
- ster
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Minister 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.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sterKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of minister
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MIN-ih-stuh.
What does minister mean?
- a person authorized to conduct religious worship“clergymen are usually called ministers in Protestant churches”
- a person appointed to a high office in the government“Minister of Finance”
- a diplomat representing one government to another; ranks below ambassador
- attend to the wants and needs of others“I have to minister to my mother all the time”
- work as a minister“She is ministering in an old parish”
Where does minister come from?
From Middle English ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister (“an attendant, servant, assistant, a priest's assistant or other under official”), from minor (“less”) + -ter; see minor.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying minister
How do you pronounce minister?
Say MIN-uh-ster. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪnəstɚ/. In British English it is /ˈmɪnɪstə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in minister?
Minister has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIN). Broken into parts: MIN · uh · ster.
Is minister pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɪnɪstə/ (MIN-ih-stuh).