How to pronounce shelter
Say it like SHEL-ter. Shelter 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 shelter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHEL
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shelter 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.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of shelter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHEL-tuh.
What does shelter mean?
- a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
- protective covering that provides protection from the weather
- the condition of being protected“they were huddled together for protection”“he enjoyed a sense of peace and protection in his new home”
- provide shelter for“After the earthquake, the government could not provide shelter for the thousands of homeless people”
- invest (money) so that it is not taxable
Where does shelter come from?
Doublet of sheltron (a kind of military formation), which is the more conservative of the two.
Words that rhyme with shelter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shelter.
Questions about saying shelter
How do you pronounce shelter?
Say SHEL-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɛltɚ/. In British English it is /ˈʃɛltə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shelter?
Shelter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHEL). Broken into parts: SHEL · ter.
Is shelter 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 /ˈʃɛltə/ (SHEL-tuh).