How to pronounce pumice
Say it like PUHM-us. Pumice has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pumice. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUHM
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pumice pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pumice
American and British speakers say pumice in essentially the same way: /ˈpʌməs/ in the US and /ˈpʌməs/ in the UK.
British respelling: PUHM-us.
What does pumice mean?
- A light, porous type of pyroclastic igneous rock, formed during explosive volcanic eruptions when liquid lava is ejected into water or air as a froth containing masses of gas bubbles, which are frozen into the rock as the lava solidifies.
- To abrade or roughen with pumice.
Where does pumice come from?
From Anglo-Norman and Old French pomis (“pumice stone”), from Latin pūmex (“pumice stone”).
Questions about saying pumice
How do you pronounce pumice?
Say PUHM-us. The American pronunciation is /ˈpʌməs/. In British English it is /ˈpʌməs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pumice?
Pumice has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHM). Broken into parts: PUHM · us.
Do Americans and Brits say pumice the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpʌməs/ and the British form is /ˈpʌməs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.