How to pronounce orifice
Say it like OR-uh-fis. Orifice has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce orifice. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OR
- uh
- fis
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Orifice pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- fisKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of orifice
American and British speakers say orifice in essentially the same way: /ˈɔrəfɪs/ in the US and /ˈɒrɪfɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: OR-ih-fis.
What does orifice mean?
- A mouth or aperture, such as of a tube, pipe, etc.; an opening.“the orifice of an artery or vein; the orifice of a wound; he entered the cave's gaping orifice”
- One of the natural external openings of the human or animal body.“the vagina and other orifices”
Where does orifice come from?
From Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin ōrificium (“an opening, literally the making of a mouth”), compound of ōs (“mouth”) + faciō (“to make”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying orifice
How do you pronounce orifice?
Say OR-uh-fis. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔrəfɪs/. In British English it is /ˈɒrɪfɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in orifice?
Orifice has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR). Broken into parts: OR · uh · fis.
Do Americans and Brits say orifice the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɔrəfɪs/ and the British form is /ˈɒrɪfɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.