How to pronounce retina
Say it like RET-uh-nuh. Retina has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retina. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RET
- uh
- nuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retina pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of retina
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: RET-ih-nuh.
What does retina mean?
- The thin layer of cells at the back of the eyeball that contains rods and cones sensitive to light, which trigger nerve impulses that pass via the optic nerve to the brain, where a visual image is formed.
Where does retina come from?
From Middle English rethina, borrowing from Medieval Latin rētīna (“retina”, feminine noun), ellipsis of tunica rētīna (“net-like tunic”), used to describe the blood vessel system at the back of the eye.
Questions about saying retina
How do you pronounce retina?
Say RET-uh-nuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛtənə/. In British English it is /ˈrɛtɪnə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retina?
Retina has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET). Broken into parts: RET · uh · nuh.
Is retina pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈrɛtɪnə/ (RET-ih-nuh).