How to pronounce spartan
Say it like SPAR-tun. Spartan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce spartan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPAR
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spartan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of spartan
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SPAH-tun.
What does spartan mean?
- Austere, frugal, characterized by self-denial.“I went on the retreat to the monastery, thinking I would be sleeping in a spartan cell, only to discover a simple but comfortable bedroom.”
- Resolute in the face of danger or adversity.“The spartan legionaries vowed to fight to the death.”
- Lacking in decoration and luxury.“After ten years as a fashion designer in the rough-and-tumble Garment District, Eloise left New York for the spartan but serene life of a farmer's wife.”
Where does spartan come from?
By analogy with the ancient Spartans, who famously possessed these qualities.
Words that rhyme with spartan
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of spartan.
Questions about saying spartan
How do you pronounce spartan?
Say SPAR-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɑrtən/. In British English it is /ˈspɑːtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spartan?
Spartan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPAR). Broken into parts: SPAR · tun.
Is spartan 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 /ˈspɑːtən/ (SPAH-tun).