How to pronounce poetry
Say it like POH-uh-tree. Poetry has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce poetry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POH
- uh
- tree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Poetry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- treeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of poetry
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: POH-ih-tree.
What does poetry mean?
- literature in metrical form
- any communication resembling poetry in beauty or the evocation of feeling
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying poetry
How do you pronounce poetry?
Say POH-uh-tree. The American pronunciation is /ˈpoʊətri/. In British English it is /ˈpəʊɪtri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in poetry?
Poetry has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POH). Broken into parts: POH · uh · tree.
Is poetry pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈpəʊɪtri/ (POH-ih-tree).