How to pronounce retriever
Say it like ree-TREE-ver. Retriever has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TREE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retriever. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- TREE
- ver
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retriever 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.
- TREESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of retriever
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ree-TREE-vuh.
What does retriever mean?
- One who retrieves something.
- Any of several breeds of gun dog that retrieve game for a hunter; an individual of such a breed.
- A tool for retrieving materials from the body after an operation.
Where does retriever come from?
From retrieve + -er.
Questions about saying retriever
How do you pronounce retriever?
Say ree-TREE-ver. The American pronunciation is /riˈtrivər/. In British English it is /riˈtriːvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retriever?
Retriever has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TREE). Broken into parts: ree · TREE · ver.
Is retriever 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 /riˈtriːvə/ (ree-TREE-vuh).