How to pronounce shirtsleeve
Say it like SHURT-sleev. Shirtsleeve has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHURT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shirtsleeve. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHURT
- sleev
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shirtsleeve pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHURTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- sleevGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of shirtsleeve
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHURT-sleev.
What does shirtsleeve mean?
- Alternative form of shirt sleeve.
- Alternative form of shirt-sleeve.
Questions about saying shirtsleeve
How do you pronounce shirtsleeve?
Say SHURT-sleev. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɝtˌsliv/. In British English it is /ˈʃɜːtˌsliːv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shirtsleeve?
Shirtsleeve has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHURT). Broken into parts: SHURT · sleev.
Is shirtsleeve 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 /ˈʃɜːtˌsliːv/ (SHURT-sleev).