How to pronounce tape
Say it like TAYP. Tape 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 tape. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAYP
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tape pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TAYPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of tape
American and British speakers say tape in essentially the same way: /teɪp/ in the US and /teɪp/ in the UK.
British respelling: TAYP.
What does tape mean?
- a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening“he used a piece of tape for a belt”“he wrapped a tape around the package”
- a recording made on magnetic tape“the several recordings were combined on a master tape”
- the finishing line for a foot race“he broke the tape in record time”
- fasten or attach with tape“tape the shipping label to the box”
- record on videotape
- register electronically“They recorded her singing”
Where does tape come from?
Probably akin to Old Frisian tapia (“to pull, rip, tear”), Middle Low German tappen, tāpen (“to grab, pull, rip, tear, snatch”), Middle High German zāfen, zāven (“to pull, tear”).
Words that rhyme with tape
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tape.
Questions about saying tape
How do you pronounce tape?
Say TAYP. The American pronunciation is /teɪp/. In British English it is /teɪp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tape?
Tape is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: TAYP.
Do Americans and Brits say tape the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /teɪp/ and the British form is /teɪp/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.