How to pronounce sommelier
Say it like saw-muh-LYAY. Sommelier has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LYAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sommelier. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- saw
- muh
- LYAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sommelier pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LYAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of sommelier
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4.
British respelling: som-MEL-ee-uh.
What does sommelier mean?
- The member of staff at a restaurant who keeps the wine cellar and advises the guests on a choice of wines; a wine steward / stewardess, a wine waiter / waitress / server.“The sommelier recommended the perfect wine, opened the bottle with panache, and served it into glasses.”
- To act as a sommelier.
Where does sommelier come from?
Borrowed from French sommelier (“originally, a person in charge of the beasts of burden carrying wine”), from somme (“pack”) + -ier (suffix forming the names of jobs).
Words that rhyme with sommelier
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sommelier.
Questions about saying sommelier
How do you pronounce sommelier?
Say saw-muh-LYAY. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɔməˈljeɪ/. In British English it is /ˌsɒmˈmɛliə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sommelier?
Sommelier has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LYAY). Broken into parts: saw · muh · LYAY.
Is sommelier pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4. The British form is /ˌsɒmˈmɛliə/ (som-MEL-ee-uh).