How to pronounce petrified
Say it like PET-ruh-fyde. Petrified has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce petrified. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PET
- ruh
- fyde
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Petrified pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- fydeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of petrified
American and British speakers say petrified in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/ in the US and /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: PET-ruh-fyde.
What does petrified mean?
- Having undergone the process of petrification (transformation into a stony substance); turned to stone.
- Extremely afraid.
- simple past and past participle of petrify How to pronounce petrify
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying petrified
How do you pronounce petrified?
Say PET-ruh-fyde. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/. In British English it is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in petrified?
Petrified has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PET). Broken into parts: PET · ruh · fyde.
Do Americans and Brits say petrified the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/ and the British form is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.