How to pronounce repartee
Say it like rep-ar-TAY. Repartee has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce repartee. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rep
- ar
- TAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Repartee pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- repGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- arKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- TAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of repartee
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: rep-ah-TEE.
What does repartee mean?
- A swift, witty reply, especially one that is amusing.
- A conversation marked by a series of witty retorts.
- A skill in replying swiftly and wittily.
- To reply with a repartee.
- To have a repartee (a conversation marked by witty retorts or replies).
Where does repartee come from?
From French repartie, a deverbal of repartir (“to retort”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with repartee
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of repartee.
Questions about saying repartee
How do you pronounce repartee?
Say rep-ar-TAY. The American pronunciation is /ˌrɛpɑrˈteɪ/. In British English it is /ˌrɛpɑːˈtiː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in repartee?
Repartee has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY). Broken into parts: rep · ar · TAY.
Is repartee 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 /ˌrɛpɑːˈtiː/ (rep-ah-TEE).