How to pronounce mistress
Say it like MIS-trus. Mistress has two 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 mistress. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MIS
- trus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mistress 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.
- trusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of mistress
American and British speakers say mistress in essentially the same way: /ˈmɪstrəs/ in the US and /ˈmɪstrɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: MIS-tris.
What does mistress mean?
- an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
- a woman schoolteacher (especially one regarded as strict)
- a woman master who directs the work of others
Where does mistress come from?
From Middle English maistresse, from Old French maistresse (whence French maîtresse), feminine of maistre (“master”).
Questions about saying mistress
How do you pronounce mistress?
Say MIS-trus. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪstrəs/. In British English it is /ˈmɪstrɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mistress?
Mistress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIS). Broken into parts: MIS · trus.
Do Americans and Brits say mistress the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɪstrəs/ and the British form is /ˈmɪstrɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.