How to pronounce tardigrade
Say it like TAR-dih-grayd. Tardigrade has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tardigrade. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAR
- dih
- grayd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tardigrade pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- graydGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of tardigrade
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAH-dih-grayd.
What does tardigrade mean?
- Sluggish; moving slowly.
- A member of the animal phylum Tardigrada.
Where does tardigrade come from?
From Latin tardigradus (“slowly stepping”), from tardus (“slow”) + gradior (“step, walk”), equivalent to Latin tardus + -i- + -grade.
Questions about saying tardigrade
How do you pronounce tardigrade?
Say TAR-dih-grayd. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑrdɪˌɡreɪd/. In British English it is /ˈtɑːdɪˌɡreɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tardigrade?
Tardigrade has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR). Broken into parts: TAR · dih · grayd.
Is tardigrade 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 /ˈtɑːdɪˌɡreɪd/ (TAH-dih-grayd).