How to pronounce operculum
Say it like oh-PUR-kyuh-lum. Operculum has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce operculum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- PUR
- kyuh
- lum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Operculum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kyuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of operculum
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-PUR-kyuu-lum.
What does operculum mean?
- A covering flap in animals and insects, such as a gill cover or the lid of nits.
- The lidlike portion of a moss sporangium or of a fruit that detaches to allow the dispersal of spores or seeds.
- A gum flap covering (part of) a partially erupted tooth, usually a wisdom tooth.
Where does operculum come from?
Borrowed from Latin operculum.
Questions about saying operculum
How do you pronounce operculum?
Say oh-PUR-kyuh-lum. The American pronunciation is /oʊˈpɝkjələm/. In British English it is /əʊˈpɜːkjʊləm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in operculum?
Operculum has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR). Broken into parts: oh · PUR · kyuh · lum.
Is operculum pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /əʊˈpɜːkjʊləm/ (oh-PUR-kyuu-lum).