How to pronounce taciturn
Say it like TAS-ih-turn. Taciturn has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce taciturn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAS
- ih
- turn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Taciturn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- turnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of taciturn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAS-ih-turn.
What does taciturn mean?
- Silent; temperamentally untalkative; disinclined to speak.“The two sisters could hardly have been more different, one so boisterous and expressive, the other so taciturn and calm.”
Where does taciturn come from?
Back-formation from taciturnity, from Middle English taciturnite, from Latin taciturnitās; or alternatively from French taciturne, likely reinforced by Latin taciturnus, from tacitus (“secret, tacit”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying taciturn
How do you pronounce taciturn?
Say TAS-ih-turn. The American pronunciation is /ˈtæsɪˌtɝn/. In British English it is /ˈtæsɪtɜːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in taciturn?
Taciturn has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAS). Broken into parts: TAS · ih · turn.
Is taciturn 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 /ˈtæsɪtɜːn/ (TAS-ih-turn).