How to pronounce senator
Say it like SEN-uh-ter. Senator has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce senator. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEN
- uh
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Senator pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SENSay 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.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of senator
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SEN-uh-tuh.
What does senator mean?
- a member of a senate
Where does senator come from?
From Latin senātor, ultimately from senex (“old”), equivalent to senate + -or.
Questions about saying senator
How do you pronounce senator?
Say SEN-uh-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛnətɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsɛnətə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in senator?
Senator has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN). Broken into parts: SEN · uh · ter.
Is senator 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 /ˈsɛnətə/ (SEN-uh-tuh).