How to pronounce ointment
Say it like OYNT-munt. Ointment has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OYNT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ointment. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OYNT
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ointment pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OYNTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ointment
American and British speakers say ointment in essentially the same way: /ˈɔɪntmənt/ in the US and /ˈɔɪntmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: OYNT-munt.
What does ointment mean?
- A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.“The doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment for the wound.”
- A substance used to anoint, as in religious rituals.
Where does ointment come from?
A later form (as if oint + -ment) of Middle English oinement, borrowed from Old French oignement (“an anointing”), from oigner, oindre, ongier (“to anoint”), from Latin ung(u)ō (“I anoint”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- (“to smear, anoint”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying ointment
How do you pronounce ointment?
Say OYNT-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔɪntmənt/. In British English it is /ˈɔɪntmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ointment?
Ointment has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OYNT). Broken into parts: OYNT · munt.
Do Americans and Brits say ointment the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɔɪntmənt/ and the British form is /ˈɔɪntmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.