How to pronounce rotary
Say it like ROH-tuh-ree. Rotary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rotary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROH
- tuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rotary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of rotary
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ROH-tuh-ree.
What does rotary mean?
- relating to or characterized by rotation“rotary dial”
- describing a circle; moving in a circle“the circular motion of the wheel”
- a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island“the accident blocked all traffic at the rotary”
- electrical converter consisting of a synchronous machine that converts alternating to direct current or vice versa
Where does rotary come from?
Attested mid 18th century, from Medieval Latin rotarius, from Latin rota (“wheel”).
Words that rhyme with rotary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rotary.
Questions about saying rotary
How do you pronounce rotary?
Say ROH-tuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈroʊtəri/. In British English it is /ˈrəʊtəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rotary?
Rotary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH). Broken into parts: ROH · tuh · ree.
Is rotary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈrəʊtəri/ (ROH-tuh-ree).