How to pronounce sumac
Say it like SOO-mak. Sumac has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOO).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sumac. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈsuˌmæk/SOO-mak
UK British/ˈsjuːmæk/SYOO-mak
- SOO
- mak
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sumac pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- makGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of sumac
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: SYOO-mak.
What does sumac mean?
noun
- Any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus Rhus and certain other genera in Anacardiaceae.
- particularly, one of species Rhus coriaria (tanner's sumac)
- Dried and chopped-up leaves and stems of a plant of the genus Rhus, particularly tanner's sumac (see sense 1), used for dyeing and tanning leather or for medicinal purposes.
- Alternative form of soumak.
- To apply a preparation of sumac to (an object), for example, to a piece of leather to tan it.
Where does sumac come from?
The verb is derived from the noun.
Questions about saying sumac
How do you pronounce sumac?
Say SOO-mak. The American pronunciation is /ˈsuˌmæk/. In British English it is /ˈsjuːmæk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sumac?
Sumac has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOO). Broken into parts: SOO · mak.
Is sumac pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ˈsjuːmæk/ (SYOO-mak).