How to pronounce teetotal
Say it like tee-TOH-tul. Teetotal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce teetotal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tee
- TOH
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Teetotal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- teeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- TOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of teetotal
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: tee-TOH-tul.
What does teetotal mean?
- Abstinent from alcohol; never drinking alcohol.
- Opposed to the drinking of alcohol.
- Containing no alcohol.
- One who abstains from drinking alcohol.
- To advocate or practice the total abstinence from alcohol.
Where does teetotal come from?
From total, the reduplicated tee acts as an intensifier, hence T-total.
Words that rhyme with teetotal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of teetotal.
Questions about saying teetotal
How do you pronounce teetotal?
Say tee-TOH-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌtiˈtoʊtəl/. In British English it is /ˌtiːˈtəʊtəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in teetotal?
Teetotal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOH). Broken into parts: tee · TOH · tul.
Is teetotal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌtiːˈtəʊtəl/ (tee-TOH-tul).