How to pronounce tarantula
Say it like tuh-RAN-choo-luh. Tarantula has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAN).
- tuh
- RAN
- choo
- luh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tarantula pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- chooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tarantula
American and British speakers say tarantula in essentially the same way: /təˈræntʃulə/ in the US and /təˈræntʃʊlə/ in the UK.
British respelling: tuh-RAN-chuu-luh.
What does tarantula mean?
- Any of the large, hairy New World spiders comprising the family Theraphosidae.
- A member of certain other groups of spiders, generally characterized by large size, hairiness, or membership of infraorder Mygalomorphae to which Theraphosidae family also belongs.
- A species of wolf spider, Lycosa tarantula, native to southern Europe, the mildly poisonous bite of which was once thought to cause an extreme urge to dance (tarantism).
Where does tarantula come from?
Sense 3 (“Lycosa tarantula”) is the original sense of the word, and refers to the fact that the spider was common in the Apulia region where Taranto is located.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- european wolf spider
- lycosa tarentula
Questions about saying tarantula
How do you pronounce tarantula?
Say tuh-RAN-choo-luh. The American pronunciation is /təˈræntʃulə/. In British English it is /təˈræntʃʊlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tarantula?
Tarantula has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAN). Broken into parts: tuh · RAN · choo · luh.
Do Americans and Brits say tarantula the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /təˈræntʃulə/ and the British form is /təˈræntʃʊlə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.