How to pronounce starfish
Say it like STAR-fish. Starfish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce starfish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STAR
- fish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Starfish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- fishGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of starfish
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STAH-fish.
What does starfish mean?
- Any of various echinoderms (not in fact fish) with usually five arms, many of which eat bivalves or corals by everting their stomach.
- To assume a splayed-out shape, like that of a starfish.
- While floating on water
- To form into a splayed-out shape, like that of a starfish.
Where does starfish come from?
From star + fish.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying starfish
How do you pronounce starfish?
Say STAR-fish. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɑrˌfɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈstɑːˌfɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in starfish?
Starfish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAR). Broken into parts: STAR · fish.
Is starfish 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 /ˈstɑːˌfɪʃ/ (STAH-fish).