How to pronounce Portsmouth
Say it like PORTS-muth. Portsmouth has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PORTS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Portsmouth. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PORTS
- muth
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Portsmouth pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PORTSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- muthKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Portsmouth
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAWTS-muth.
What does Portsmouth mean?
- A former town on Portsmouth Island, Carteret County, North Carolina.
- A town in Newport County, Rhode Island.
Where does Portsmouth come from?
From Middle English Portesmuða, from Old English Portesmuða.
Questions about saying Portsmouth
How do you pronounce Portsmouth?
Say PORTS-muth. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔrtsməθ/. In British English it is /ˈpɔːtsməθ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PORTS). Broken into parts: PORTS · muth.
Is Portsmouth 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 /ˈpɔːtsməθ/ (PAWTS-muth).