How to pronounce retreat
Say it like ree-TREET. Retreat has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TREET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retreat. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- TREET
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retreat 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.
- TREETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of retreat
American and British speakers say retreat in essentially the same way: /riˈtrit/ in the US and /rɪˈtriːt/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-TREET.
What does retreat mean?
- pull back or move away or backward“The enemy withdrew”“The limo pulled away from the curb”
- move away, as for privacy“The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer”
- move back“The glacier retrogrades”
- (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat“the disorderly retreat of French troops”
- a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
- (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
Where does retreat come from?
From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with retreat
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retreat.
Questions about saying retreat
How do you pronounce retreat?
Say ree-TREET. The American pronunciation is /riˈtrit/. In British English it is /rɪˈtriːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retreat?
Retreat has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TREET). Broken into parts: ree · TREET.
Do Americans and Brits say retreat the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /riˈtrit/ and the British form is /rɪˈtriːt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.