How to pronounce nautilus
Say it like NAW-tih-lus. Nautilus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nautilus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAW
- tih
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nautilus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of nautilus
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: NAW-tih-lus.
What does nautilus mean?
- A marine mollusc, of the family Nautilidae native to the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, which has tentacles and a spiral shell with a series of air-filled chambers, of which Nautilus is the type genus.
- A kind of diving bell that sinks or rises by means of compressed air.
- A paper nautilus (actually an octopus).
Questions about saying nautilus
How do you pronounce nautilus?
Say NAW-tih-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɔtɪləs/. In British English it is /ˈnɔːtɪləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nautilus?
Nautilus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAW). Broken into parts: NAW · tih · lus.
Is nautilus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈnɔːtɪləs/ (NAW-tih-lus).