How to pronounce perturbation
Say it like pur-ter-BAY-shun. Perturbation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perturbation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pur
- ter
- BAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perturbation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- purGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- BAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of perturbation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: pur-tuh-BAY-shun.
What does perturbation mean?
- Agitation; the state of being perturbed.
- A small change in a physical system, or more broadly any definable system (such as a biological or economic system).
- Variation in an orbit due to the influence of external bodies.
Where does perturbation come from?
Borrowed from Middle French perturbation, from Old French perturbacion, from Latin perturbatio.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with perturbation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perturbation.
Questions about saying perturbation
How do you pronounce perturbation?
Say pur-ter-BAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɝtɚˈbeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːtəˈbeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perturbation?
Perturbation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAY). Broken into parts: pur · ter · BAY · shun.
Is perturbation 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 /ˌpɜːtəˈbeɪʃən/ (pur-tuh-BAY-shun).