How to pronounce mousetrap
Say it like MOW-strap. Mousetrap has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mousetrap. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MOW
- strap
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mousetrap pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- strapGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of mousetrap
American and British speakers say mousetrap in essentially the same way: /ˈmaʊˌstræp/ in the US and /ˈmaʊˌstræp/ in the UK.
British respelling: MOW-strap.
What does mousetrap mean?
- A device for capturing or killing mice and other rodents.
- Ordinary, everyday cheese.
- A slice of bread or toast topped with cheese and then grilled or microwaved.
- To trap; to trick or fool (someone) into a bad situation.
Where does mousetrap come from?
From Middle English mouse-trappe, mous trappe, mouse trape, equivalent to mouse + trap.
Questions about saying mousetrap
How do you pronounce mousetrap?
Say MOW-strap. The American pronunciation is /ˈmaʊˌstræp/. In British English it is /ˈmaʊˌstræp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mousetrap?
Mousetrap has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOW). Broken into parts: MOW · strap.
Do Americans and Brits say mousetrap the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmaʊˌstræp/ and the British form is /ˈmaʊˌstræp/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.