How to pronounce paperweight
Say it like PAY-per-wayt. Paperweight has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paperweight. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAY
- per
- wayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paperweight pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- waytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of paperweight
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAY-puh-wayt.
What does paperweight mean?
- A small, decorative, somewhat weighty object placed on one or more pieces of paper to keep them from fluttering away.
- Any object used for this purpose.“John used his coffee mug as a paperweight.”
- A useless piece of equipment.“On Windows, the card has a working driver. On Linux right now, it's a paperweight.”
Where does paperweight come from?
From paper + weight.
Questions about saying paperweight
How do you pronounce paperweight?
Say PAY-per-wayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈpeɪpɚˌweɪt/. In British English it is /ˈpeɪpəˌweɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paperweight?
Paperweight has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY). Broken into parts: PAY · per · wayt.
Is paperweight 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 /ˈpeɪpəˌweɪt/ (PAY-puh-wayt).