How to pronounce shortest
Say it like SHOR-tist. Shortest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shortest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈʃɔrtɪst/SHOR-tist
UK British/ˈʃɔːtɪst/SHAW-tist
- SHOR
- tist
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shortest pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tistKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of shortest
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHAW-tist.
What does shortest mean?
adjective
- superlative form of short: most short; Least in stature, length or height. How to pronounce short“The two-word poem "Fleas", by Ogden Nash, is arguably the shortest poem in the English language.”
Questions about saying shortest
How do you pronounce shortest?
Say SHOR-tist. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɔrtɪst/. In British English it is /ˈʃɔːtɪst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shortest?
Shortest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOR). Broken into parts: SHOR · tist.
Is shortest 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 /ˈʃɔːtɪst/ (SHAW-tist).