How to pronounce mothball
Say it like MAWTH-bawl. Mothball has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAWTH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mothball. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAWTH
- bawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mothball pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MAWTHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- bawlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of mothball
American and British speakers say mothball in essentially the same way: /ˈmɔθˌbɔl/ in the US and /ˈmɒθbɔːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: MOTH-bawl.
What does mothball mean?
- A small ball of chemical pesticide (originally camphor and now typically naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) and deodorant placed in or around clothing and other articles to deter moth larvae which may damage them.
- To store (clothing, etc.) with mothballs (noun sense 1).
- To stop using (something), and often to put it in storage; specifically, while keeping it in good condition so it can be used in the future.“They mothballed the old version after the new one came out.”
- To stop work on (a plan, project, etc.) for the time being; to postpone, to shelve.
Where does mothball come from?
The noun is derived from moth + ball.
Questions about saying mothball
How do you pronounce mothball?
Say MAWTH-bawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɔθˌbɔl/. In British English it is /ˈmɒθbɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mothball?
Mothball has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAWTH). Broken into parts: MAWTH · bawl.
Do Americans and Brits say mothball the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɔθˌbɔl/ and the British form is /ˈmɒθbɔːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.