How to pronounce ramshackle
Say it like RAM-shak-ul. Ramshackle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ramshackle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAM
- shak
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ramshackle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RAMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shakGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ramshackle
American and British speakers say ramshackle in essentially the same way: /ˈræmˌʃækəl/ in the US and /ˈræmˌʃækəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: RAM-shak-ul.
What does ramshackle mean?
- In disrepair or disorder; poorly maintained; lacking upkeep, usually of buildings or vehicles.“They stayed in a ramshackle cabin on the beach.”
- Badly or carelessly organized.
Where does ramshackle come from?
First attested in 1830, a back-formation from ramshackled, from ransackled, past participle of ransackle (“to ransack”), frequentative of Middle English ransaken (“to pillage”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying ramshackle
How do you pronounce ramshackle?
Say RAM-shak-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈræmˌʃækəl/. In British English it is /ˈræmˌʃækəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ramshackle?
Ramshackle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAM). Broken into parts: RAM · shak · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say ramshackle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈræmˌʃækəl/ and the British form is /ˈræmˌʃækəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.