How to pronounce retirement
Say it like ree-TY-er-munt. Retirement has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retirement. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- TY
- er
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retirement pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- TYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of retirement
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: rih-TY-uh-munt.
What does retirement mean?
- the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
- withdrawal from your position or occupation
- withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation“the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity”
Where does retirement come from?
From French retirement, from retirer (“withdraw, retire”); corresponding to retire + -ment.
Questions about saying retirement
How do you pronounce retirement?
Say ree-TY-er-munt. The American pronunciation is /riˈtaɪɚmənt/. In British English it is /rɪˈtaɪəmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retirement?
Retirement has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TY). Broken into parts: ree · TY · er · munt.
Is retirement 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 /rɪˈtaɪəmənt/ (rih-TY-uh-munt).