How to pronounce perturb
Say it like per-TURB. Perturb has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TURB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perturb. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- TURB
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perturb pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TURBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of perturb
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-TURB.
What does perturb mean?
- To cause (something) to be physically disordered or disturbed; to cause confusion.
- To disturb (someone, their mind, etc.) mentally; to bother, trouble, upset.
- Of a celestial body: to modify the motion or orbit of (another celestial body) by exerting a gravitational force; hence (physics), to slightly modify (the motion of an object).
Where does perturb come from?
From Late Middle English perturben (“to disturb (someone) mentally, disquiet; to cause disorder to (something), confuse; to hinder (something)”), from Old French perturber, and from its etymon Latin perturbāre, the present active infinitive
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with perturb
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perturb.
Questions about saying perturb
How do you pronounce perturb?
Say per-TURB. The American pronunciation is /pərˈtɝb/. In British English it is /pəˈtɜːb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perturb?
Perturb has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TURB). Broken into parts: per · TURB.
Is perturb 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 /pəˈtɜːb/ (puh-TURB).