How to pronounce putrefaction
Say it like pyoo-truh-FAK-shun. Putrefaction has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FAK).
- pyoo
- truh
- FAK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Putrefaction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pyooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of putrefaction
American and British speakers say putrefaction in essentially the same way: /ˌpjutrəˈfækʃən/ in the US and /ˌpjuːtrəˈfækʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pyoo-truh-FAK-shun.
What does putrefaction mean?
- The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products.
- Rotten material.
- The state of being rotten.
Where does putrefaction come from?
First attested between 1350 and 1400 from Middle English putrefaccioun, from Old French putrefaccïon, from Latin putrefactiō, from putrefactus, perfect passive participle of putrefaciō (“become rotten”)
Words that rhyme with putrefaction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of putrefaction.
- reaction
- interaction
- transaction
- satisfaction
- attraction
- fraction
- extraction
- distraction
- traction
- contraction
Questions about saying putrefaction
How do you pronounce putrefaction?
Say pyoo-truh-FAK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpjutrəˈfækʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpjuːtrəˈfækʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in putrefaction?
Putrefaction has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FAK). Broken into parts: pyoo · truh · FAK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say putrefaction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpjutrəˈfækʃən/ and the British form is /ˌpjuːtrəˈfækʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.