How to pronounce sputter
Say it like SPUHT-er. Sputter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPUHT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sputter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPUHT
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sputter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPUHTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of sputter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SPUHT-uh.
What does sputter mean?
- To emit saliva or spit from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking.
- To speak so rapidly as to emit saliva; to utter words hastily and indistinctly, with a spluttering sound, as in rage.
- To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering.
- Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles.
- Confused and hasty speech.
Where does sputter come from?
Probably representing Middle English *sputren, *sputrien, a frequentative form of Middle English sputen (“to spout, vomit”), equivalent to spout + -er.
Words that rhyme with sputter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sputter.
Questions about saying sputter
How do you pronounce sputter?
Say SPUHT-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈspʌtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈspʌtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sputter?
Sputter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPUHT). Broken into parts: SPUHT · er.
Is sputter 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 /ˈspʌtə/ (SPUHT-uh).