How to pronounce shot
Say it like SHOT. Shot is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shot. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHOT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shot pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of shot
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SHOT.
What does shot mean?
- the act of firing a projectile“his shooting was slow but accurate”
- a solid missile discharged from a firearm“the shot buzzed past his ear”
- (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand“it took two strokes to get out of the bunker”“a good shot requires good balance and tempo”
- varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles“changeable taffeta”“chatoyant (or shot) silk”
Where does shot come from?
The past participle of shoot.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with shot
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shot.
Questions about saying shot
How do you pronounce shot?
Say SHOT. The American pronunciation is /ʃɑt/. In British English it is /ʃɒt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shot?
Shot is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SHOT.
Is shot pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ʃɒt/ (SHOT).