How to pronounce pontiff
Say it like PON-tuf. Pontiff has two 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 pontiff. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PON
- tuf
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pontiff 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.
- tufKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pontiff
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PON-tif.
What does pontiff mean?
- A bishop of the early Church; now specifically, the Pope.
- Any chief figure or leader of a religion.
Where does pontiff come from?
Borrowed from Middle French pontife m, from Latin pontifex m.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying pontiff
How do you pronounce pontiff?
Say PON-tuf. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑntəf/. In British English it is /ˈpɒntɪf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pontiff?
Pontiff has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PON). Broken into parts: PON · tuf.
Is pontiff pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈpɒntɪf/ (PON-tif).