How to pronounce skyscraper
Say it like SKY-skray-per. Skyscraper has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKY).
- SKY
- skray
- per
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Skyscraper pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- skrayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of skyscraper
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SKY-skray-puh.
What does skyscraper mean?
- A very tall building with a large number of floors.
- Anything very tall or high.
Where does skyscraper come from?
Compound of sky + scraper, first applied to tall steel-frame buildings in American cities such as New York City and Chicago in the 1880s.
Questions about saying skyscraper
How do you pronounce skyscraper?
Say SKY-skray-per. The American pronunciation is /ˈskaɪˌskreɪpɚ/. In British English it is /ˈskaɪˌskreɪpə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in skyscraper?
Skyscraper has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKY). Broken into parts: SKY · skray · per.
Is skyscraper 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 /ˈskaɪˌskreɪpə/ (SKY-skray-puh).