How to pronounce obtuse
Say it like ob-TOOS. Obtuse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obtuse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ob
- TOOS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obtuse pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- obKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- TOOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of obtuse
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: ub-TYOOS.
What does obtuse mean?
- Blunt; not sharp, pointed, or acute in form.
- Blunt, or rounded at the extremity.
- Larger than one, and smaller than two right angles, equivalently more than 90° and less than 180°.
Where does obtuse come from?
From Middle English obtuse, from Latin obtūsus (“blunt, dull; obtuse”), past participle of obtundere, from obtundō (“to batter, beat, strike; to blunt, dull”), from ob- (“against”) (see ob-) + tundō (“to beat, strike; to bruise, crush, poun
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with obtuse
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of obtuse.
Questions about saying obtuse
How do you pronounce obtuse?
Say ob-TOOS. The American pronunciation is /ɑbˈtus/. In British English it is /əbˈtjuːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obtuse?
Obtuse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOOS). Broken into parts: ob · TOOS.
Is obtuse pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /əbˈtjuːs/ (ub-TYOOS).