How to pronounce shellac
Say it like SHEL-ak. Shellac has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shellac. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHEL
- ak
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shellac pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- akGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of shellac
American and British speakers say shellac in essentially the same way: /ˈʃɛˌlæk/ in the US and /ˈʃɛˌlæk/ in the UK.
British respelling: SHEL-ak.
What does shellac mean?
- A processed secretion of the lac insect, Coccus lacca; used in polishes, varnishes etc.
- A beating; a thrashing.
- To coat with shellac.
- To beat; to thrash.
- To inflict a heavy defeat upon.
Where does shellac come from?
From shell + lac, calque of French laque en écailles (literally “lac in scales/shells”).
Questions about saying shellac
How do you pronounce shellac?
Say SHEL-ak. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɛˌlæk/. In British English it is /ˈʃɛˌlæk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shellac?
Shellac has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHEL). Broken into parts: SHEL · ak.
Do Americans and Brits say shellac the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʃɛˌlæk/ and the British form is /ˈʃɛˌlæk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.