How to pronounce poltergeists
Say it like POHL-ter-ghysts. Poltergeists has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce poltergeists. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POHL
- ter
- ghysts
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Poltergeists pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- ghystsGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of poltergeists
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: POHL-tuh-ghysts.
What does poltergeists mean?
- plural of poltergeist How to pronounce poltergeist
Questions about saying poltergeists
How do you pronounce poltergeists?
Say POHL-ter-ghysts. The American pronunciation is /ˈpoʊltɚˌɡaɪsts/. In British English it is /ˈpəʊltəˌɡaɪsts/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in poltergeists?
Poltergeists has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POHL). Broken into parts: POHL · ter · ghysts.
Is poltergeists pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈpəʊltəˌɡaɪsts/ (POHL-tuh-ghysts).