How to pronounce mistletoe
Say it like MIS-ul-toh. Mistletoe has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mistletoe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MIS
- ul
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mistletoe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of mistletoe
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: MIS-ul-toh.
What does mistletoe mean?
- Any of numerous hemiparasitic evergreen plants of the order Santalales with white berries that grow in the crowns of apple trees, oaks, and other trees, such as the European mistletoe (Viscum album) and American mistletoe or eastern mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum).
- A sprig of one such plant used as a Christmas decoration, associated with the custom that a man may kiss any woman standing beneath it.
Where does mistletoe come from?
Cognate with Danish mistelten (“mistletoe”), Norwegian misteltein (“mistletoe”), Icelandic mistilteinn (“mistletoe”).
Questions about saying mistletoe
How do you pronounce mistletoe?
Say MIS-ul-toh. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪsəlˌtoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈmɪsəltəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mistletoe?
Mistletoe has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIS). Broken into parts: MIS · ul · toh.
Is mistletoe 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 /ˈmɪsəltəʊ/ (MIS-ul-toh).