How to pronounce ponderous
Say it like PON-der-us. Ponderous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ponderous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PON
- der
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ponderous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ponderous
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PON-duh-rus.
What does ponderous mean?
- Heavy, massive, weighty.
- Serious, onerous, oppressive.
- Clumsy, unwieldy, or slow, especially due to weight.
Where does ponderous come from?
Ultimately from Latin ponderōsus (“weighty”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying ponderous
How do you pronounce ponderous?
Say PON-der-us. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑndɚəs/. In British English it is /ˈpɒndərəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ponderous?
Ponderous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PON). Broken into parts: PON · der · us.
Is ponderous 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 /ˈpɒndərəs/ (PON-duh-rus).