How to pronounce motherhood
Say it like MUHTH-er-huud. Motherhood has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHTH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motherhood. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MUHTH
- er
- huud
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motherhood pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MUHTHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- huudGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of motherhood
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MUHTH-uh-hud.
What does motherhood mean?
- The state of being a mother.
- Mothers, considered as a group.“the nation's motherhood”
Where does motherhood come from?
From Middle English moderhode, moderhede, equivalent to mother + -hood.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with motherhood
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of motherhood.
Questions about saying motherhood
How do you pronounce motherhood?
Say MUHTH-er-huud. The American pronunciation is /ˈmʌðɚˌhʊd/. In British English it is /ˈmʌðəhʊd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motherhood?
Motherhood has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHTH). Broken into parts: MUHTH · er · huud.
Is motherhood 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 /ˈmʌðəhʊd/ (MUHTH-uh-hud).