How to pronounce solitaire
Say it like sah-luh-TAIR. Solitaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce solitaire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sah
- luh
- TAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Solitaire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of solitaire
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SOL-ih-tair.
What does solitaire mean?
- A person who lives alone; a recluse or hermit.
- A game for one person, played on a board with pegs or balls, in which the object is, beginning with all the places filled except one, to remove all but one of the pieces by "jumping", as in draughts.
- Any of various card games that can be played by one person.
- Living or being alone; solitary.
Where does solitaire come from?
Borrowed from French solitaire, ultimately from Latin sōlitārius.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with solitaire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of solitaire.
Questions about saying solitaire
How do you pronounce solitaire?
Say sah-luh-TAIR. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɑləˈtɛr/. In British English it is /ˈsɒlɪˌtɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in solitaire?
Solitaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAIR). Broken into parts: sah · luh · TAIR.
Is solitaire pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈsɒlɪˌtɛə/ (SOL-ih-tair).