How to pronounce shipwreck
Say it like SHIP-rek. Shipwreck has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHIP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shipwreck. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHIP
- rek
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shipwreck pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHIPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- rekKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of shipwreck
American and British speakers say shipwreck in essentially the same way: /ˈʃɪprɛk/ in the US and /ˈʃɪprɛk/ in the UK.
British respelling: SHIP-rek.
What does shipwreck mean?
- A ship that has sunk or run aground so that it is no longer seaworthy; a ruined vessel or its remains.
- An event where a ship sinks or runs aground.
- Destruction; disaster; failure; ruin; irretrievable loss.
- To wreck a boat through a collision or other mishap.
Where does shipwreck come from?
From Middle English schipwrak, from Old English sċipwræc (“jetsam”), equivalent to ship + wrack.
Questions about saying shipwreck
How do you pronounce shipwreck?
Say SHIP-rek. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɪprɛk/. In British English it is /ˈʃɪprɛk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shipwreck?
Shipwreck has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHIP). Broken into parts: SHIP · rek.
Do Americans and Brits say shipwreck the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʃɪprɛk/ and the British form is /ˈʃɪprɛk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.