How to pronounce stepmother
Say it like STEP-muhth-er. Stepmother has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STEP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce stepmother. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STEP
- muhth
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stepmother pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STEPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- muhthGive this part a little weight. 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 stepmother
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STEP-muth-uh.
What does stepmother mean?
- A person or thing likened to a stereotypical stepmother, having cold, cruel, or ungenerous qualities.
- An animal, typically a bird, who raises the offspring of another animal.
- Synonym of co-mother (“the non-birth mother of a child in a lesbian couple”).
Where does stepmother come from?
From Middle English stepmoder, from Old English stēopmōdor, from Proto-Germanic *steupamōdēr (“stepmother”), corresponding to step- + mother.
Questions about saying stepmother
How do you pronounce stepmother?
Say STEP-muhth-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɛpˌmʌðɚ/. In British English it is /ˈstɛpmʌðə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stepmother?
Stepmother has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STEP). Broken into parts: STEP · muhth · er.
Is stepmother 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 /ˈstɛpmʌðə/ (STEP-muth-uh).