How to pronounce posterior
Say it like paw-STEER-yer. Posterior has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce posterior. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- paw
- STEER
- yer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Posterior pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- STEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of posterior
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: po-STEER-ree-uh.
What does posterior mean?
- Relating to or denoting presentation of a fetus in which the rear or caudal end is nearest the cervix and emerges first at birth.
- Next to, or facing the main stem or axis.
- Following in order or in time.
- The posterior portions of the human body; especially, the buttocks.
- The probability that a hypothesis is true (calculated by Bayes' theorem).
Where does posterior come from?
Borrowed from Latin posterior (“that comes or follows after; later, latter”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying posterior
How do you pronounce posterior?
Say paw-STEER-yer. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɔˈstɪrjɚ/. In British English it is /pɒˈstɪəriə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in posterior?
Posterior has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEER). Broken into parts: paw · STEER · yer.
Is posterior pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4. The British form is /pɒˈstɪəriə/ (po-STEER-ree-uh).