How to pronounce porthole
Say it like PORT-hohl. Porthole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PORT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce porthole. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PORT
- hohl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Porthole pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PORTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- hohlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of porthole
- 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: PAWT-hohl.
What does porthole mean?
- A circular window set in the hull of a ship.
- A gunport; an opening in the hull of a ship through which cannons are fired.
Where does porthole come from?
From port + hole.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying porthole
How do you pronounce porthole?
Say PORT-hohl. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔrthoʊl/. In British English it is /ˈpɔːthəʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in porthole?
Porthole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PORT). Broken into parts: PORT · hohl.
Is porthole 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 /ˈpɔːthəʊl/ (PAWT-hohl).