How to pronounce poinsettia
Say it like poyn-SET-ee-uh. Poinsettia has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce poinsettia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- poyn
- SET
- ee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Poinsettia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- poynGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
- SETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of poinsettia
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: poyn-SET-ee-uh.
What does poinsettia mean?
- A plant, Euphorbia pulcherrima, with rather small and insignificant flowers surrounded by large bright red leaves; native to Mexico and Central America and widely cultivated as a garden plant; widely used in Christmas floral displays.
Where does poinsettia come from?
After the obsolete genus name Poinsettia, named after Joel Roberts Poinsett (19th-century US minister to Mexico); equivalent to Poinsett + -ia.
Questions about saying poinsettia
How do you pronounce poinsettia?
Say poyn-SET-ee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɔɪnˈsɛtiə/. In British English it is /ˌpɔɪnˈsɛtiə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in poinsettia?
Poinsettia has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SET). Broken into parts: poyn · SET · ee · uh.
Is poinsettia pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌpɔɪnˈsɛtiə/ (poyn-SET-ee-uh).