How to pronounce splinter
Say it like SPLIN-ter. Splinter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPLIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce splinter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPLIN
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Splinter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPLINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of splinter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SPLIN-tuh.
What does splinter mean?
- A long, sharp fragment of material, often wood.
- A small such fragment that gets embedded in the flesh.
- A group that formed by splitting off from a larger membership.
- To come apart into long sharp fragments.“The tall tree splintered during the storm.”
- To cause to break apart into long sharp fragments.“His third kick splintered the door.”
- To break, or cause to break, into factions.“The government splintered when the coalition members could not agree.”
Where does splinter come from?
From Middle English splenter, splinter, from Middle Dutch splinter, equivalent to splint + -er.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with splinter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of splinter.
Questions about saying splinter
How do you pronounce splinter?
Say SPLIN-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈsplɪntɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsplɪntə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in splinter?
Splinter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPLIN). Broken into parts: SPLIN · ter.
Is splinter 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 /ˈsplɪntə/ (SPLIN-tuh).