How to pronounce nutshell
Say it like NUHT-shel. Nutshell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUHT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nutshell. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NUHT
- shel
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nutshell pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NUHTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- shelGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of nutshell
American and British speakers say nutshell in essentially the same way: /ˈnʌˌtʃɛl/ in the US and /ˈnʌˌtʃɛl/ in the UK.
British respelling: NUHT-shel.
What does nutshell mean?
- The shell that surrounds the kernel of a nut.
- A short book summarizing an area of law.
- A small boat; a boat considered small in comparison to the seas.
- To summarize (from the term in a nutshell).
Where does nutshell come from?
From Middle English notschelle, from Old English hnutsċiell, from Proto-West Germanic *hnutskallju, equivalent to nut + shell.
Questions about saying nutshell
How do you pronounce nutshell?
Say NUHT-shel. The American pronunciation is /ˈnʌˌtʃɛl/. In British English it is /ˈnʌˌtʃɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nutshell?
Nutshell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUHT). Broken into parts: NUHT · shel.
Do Americans and Brits say nutshell the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnʌˌtʃɛl/ and the British form is /ˈnʌˌtʃɛl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.