How to pronounce pincushion
Say it like PIN-kuush-un. Pincushion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pincushion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PIN
- kuush
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pincushion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kuushGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pincushion
American and British speakers say pincushion in essentially the same way: /ˈpɪnˌkʊʃən/ in the US and /ˈpɪnˌkʊʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: PIN-kuush-un.
What does pincushion mean?
- A device, originally like a small, stuffed cushion, designed to have sewing pins and needles stuck into it to store them safely; some modern pincushions hold the objects magnetically.
- A flowering plant in the genus Leucospermum.
- A flowering plant in the genus Scabiosa.
- To jab or stick repeatedly with one or more sharp objects, as with pins into a pincushion.“The target was pincushioned with arrows.”
- To assume the shape of a pincushion; specifically, of the image on a computer display, television, etc., to exhibit pincushion distortion, where the sides curve inwards.
Where does pincushion come from?
The noun is derived from pin + cushion.
Questions about saying pincushion
How do you pronounce pincushion?
Say PIN-kuush-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɪnˌkʊʃən/. In British English it is /ˈpɪnˌkʊʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pincushion?
Pincushion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIN). Broken into parts: PIN · kuush · un.
Do Americans and Brits say pincushion the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɪnˌkʊʃən/ and the British form is /ˈpɪnˌkʊʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.