How to pronounce petrify
Say it like PET-ruh-fy. Petrify 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 petrify. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PET
- ruh
- fy
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Petrify 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.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of petrify
American and British speakers say petrify in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/ in the US and /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: PET-ruh-fy.
What does petrify mean?
- To turn to stone: to harden organic matter by permeating with water and depositing dissolved minerals.
- To produce rigidity akin to stone.
- To immobilize with fright.
Questions about saying petrify
How do you pronounce petrify?
Say PET-ruh-fy. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in petrify?
Petrify has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PET). Broken into parts: PET · ruh · fy.
Do Americans and Brits say petrify the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/ and the British form is /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.