How to pronounce spitball
Say it like SPIT-bawl. Spitball has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce spitball. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPIT
- bawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spitball pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- bawlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of spitball
American and British speakers say spitball in essentially the same way: /ˈspɪtˌbɔl/ in the US and /ˈspɪtˌbɔːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPIT-bawl.
What does spitball mean?
- A pitch of a baseball that has been partly covered with saliva, illegal at most levels.
- A balled-up piece of paper, moistened with saliva (by chewing) and shot through a drinking straw.
- To moisten the ball with saliva before pitching it.
- To brainstorm ideas.
Where does spitball come from?
From spit + ball.
Questions about saying spitball
How do you pronounce spitball?
Say SPIT-bawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɪtˌbɔl/. In British English it is /ˈspɪtˌbɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spitball?
Spitball has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPIT). Broken into parts: SPIT · bawl.
Do Americans and Brits say spitball the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspɪtˌbɔl/ and the British form is /ˈspɪtˌbɔːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.