How to pronounce sump
Say it like SUHMP. Sump is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sump. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHMP
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sump pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHMPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of sump
American and British speakers say sump in essentially the same way: /sʌmp/ in the US and /sʌmp/ in the UK.
British respelling: SUHMP.
What does sump mean?
- A hollow or pit into which liquid drains, such as a cesspool, cesspit or sink.
- The lowest part of a mineshaft into which water drains.
- A completely flooded cave passage, sometimes passable by diving.
- Of a cave passage, to end in a sump, or to fill completely with water on occasion.“We discovered a new passage, but it sumped after 100 metres.”
Where does sump come from?
From Middle English sompe, either from Middle Dutch somp, sump or Middle Low German sump from Old Saxon *sump, from Proto-West Germanic *sump, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *sumpaz.
Words that rhyme with sump
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sump.
Questions about saying sump
How do you pronounce sump?
Say SUHMP. The American pronunciation is /sʌmp/. In British English it is /sʌmp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sump?
Sump is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SUHMP.
Do Americans and Brits say sump the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /sʌmp/ and the British form is /sʌmp/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.