How to pronounce smalltalk
Say it like SMAWL-tawk. Smalltalk has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smalltalk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMAWL
- tawk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smalltalk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMAWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tawkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of smalltalk
American and British speakers say smalltalk in essentially the same way: /ˈsmɔlˌtɔk/ in the US and /ˈsmɔːlˌtɔːk/ in the UK.
British respelling: SMAWL-tawk.
What does smalltalk mean?
- Alternative form of small talk.
Questions about saying smalltalk
How do you pronounce smalltalk?
Say SMAWL-tawk. The American pronunciation is /ˈsmɔlˌtɔk/. In British English it is /ˈsmɔːlˌtɔːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smalltalk?
Smalltalk has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAWL). Broken into parts: SMAWL · tawk.
Do Americans and Brits say smalltalk the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsmɔlˌtɔk/ and the British form is /ˈsmɔːlˌtɔːk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.