How to pronounce portraiture
Say it like POR-trih-tyoor. Portraiture has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce portraiture. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POR
- trih
- tyoor
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Portraiture pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- trihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tyoorKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of portraiture
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAW-trih-tyoor.
What does portraiture mean?
- A portrait; a likeness; a painted resemblance; hence, that which is copied from some example or model.
- The art of painting or photographing portraits.
- A portrait (or portraits considered as a group).
Where does portraiture come from?
From Middle English portraiture, portrature, purtraiture, pourtreture, from Old French portraiture, pourtraiture and Anglo-Norman purtraiture.
Questions about saying portraiture
How do you pronounce portraiture?
Say POR-trih-tyoor. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔrtrɪtjʊr/. In British English it is /ˈpɔːtrɪtjʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in portraiture?
Portraiture has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POR). Broken into parts: POR · trih · tyoor.
Is portraiture 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 /ˈpɔːtrɪtjʊə/ (PAW-trih-tyoor).