How to pronounce pastime
Say it like PAS-tyme. Pastime has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pastime. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAS
- tyme
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pastime pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tymeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of pastime
American and British speakers say pastime in essentially the same way: /ˈpæˌstaɪm/ in the US and /ˈpæstaɪm/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAS-tyme.
What does pastime mean?
- Something which amuses, and serves to make time pass agreeably.“Chatting is a pleasant pastime.”
Where does pastime come from?
From earlier passtime, pass-time, from Middle English passe tyme, passetyme, calque of Middle French passetemps.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying pastime
How do you pronounce pastime?
Say PAS-tyme. The American pronunciation is /ˈpæˌstaɪm/. In British English it is /ˈpæstaɪm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pastime?
Pastime has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAS). Broken into parts: PAS · tyme.
Do Americans and Brits say pastime the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpæˌstaɪm/ and the British form is /ˈpæstaɪm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.