How to pronounce napkin
Say it like NAP-kin. Napkin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce napkin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAP
- kin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Napkin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kinKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of napkin
American and British speakers say napkin in essentially the same way: /ˈnæpkɪn/ in the US and /ˈnæpkɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: NAP-kin.
What does napkin mean?
- A serviette; a (usually rectangular) piece of cloth or paper used at the table for wiping the mouth and hands for cleanliness while eating.
- A nappy (UK), a diaper (American).
- A small scarf worn on the head by Christian women (chiefly Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) when entering a church, as a token of modesty.
Where does napkin come from?
From Middle English napekyn, napkyn, equivalent to nape (“cloth”) + -kin (diminutive suffix).
Questions about saying napkin
How do you pronounce napkin?
Say NAP-kin. The American pronunciation is /ˈnæpkɪn/. In British English it is /ˈnæpkɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in napkin?
Napkin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAP). Broken into parts: NAP · kin.
Do Americans and Brits say napkin the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnæpkɪn/ and the British form is /ˈnæpkɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.