How to pronounce philistine
Say it like FIL-uh-steen. Philistine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce philistine. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FIL
- uh
- steen
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Philistine pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- steenGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of philistine
American and British speakers say philistine in essentially the same way: /ˈfɪləˌstin/ in the US and /ˈfɪləˌstiːn/ in the UK.
British respelling: FIL-uh-steen.
What does philistine mean?
- a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
- a member of an Aegean people who settled ancient Philistia around the 12th century BC
- of or relating to ancient Philistia or its culture or its people
- smug and ignorant and indifferent or hostile to artistic and cultural values
Questions about saying philistine
How do you pronounce philistine?
Say FIL-uh-steen. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɪləˌstin/. In British English it is /ˈfɪləˌstiːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in philistine?
Philistine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FIL). Broken into parts: FIL · uh · steen.
Do Americans and Brits say philistine the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfɪləˌstin/ and the British form is /ˈfɪləˌstiːn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.