How to pronounce stalactite
Say it like stuh-LAK-tyte. Stalactite has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce stalactite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- stuh
- LAK
- tyte
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stalactite pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tyteGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of stalactite
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
British respelling: STAL-ak-tyte.
What does stalactite mean?
- A secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or another mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that hangs from the roof of a cave.
Questions about saying stalactite
How do you pronounce stalactite?
Say stuh-LAK-tyte. The American pronunciation is /stəˈlækˌtaɪt/. In British English it is /ˈstælæktaɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stalactite?
Stalactite has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAK). Broken into parts: stuh · LAK · tyte.
Is stalactite pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈstælæktaɪt/ (STAL-ak-tyte).