How to pronounce retch
Say it like RECH. Retch is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- RECH
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retch pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RECHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of retch
American and British speakers say retch in essentially the same way: /rɛtʃ/ in the US and /rɛtʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: RECH.
What does retch mean?
- To make or experience an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain or spasm, as if to vomit; to gag or nearly vomit.
- To vomit; to make or experience a successful effort to vomit.
- An unsuccessful effort to vomit.
Where does retch come from?
From Middle English *recchen, *rechen (attested in arechen), hræcen (“to cough up”), from Old English hrǣċan (“to clear the throat, hawk, spit”), from Proto-West Germanic *hrākijan, from Proto-Germanic *hrēkijaną (“to clear one's throat”),
Words that rhyme with retch
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retch.
Words that sound like retch
Questions about saying retch
How do you pronounce retch?
Say RECH. The American pronunciation is /rɛtʃ/. In British English it is /rɛtʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retch?
Retch is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: RECH.
Do Americans and Brits say retch the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɛtʃ/ and the British form is /rɛtʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as retch?
Retch sounds the same as wretch in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.