How to pronounce termite
Say it like TUR-myte. Termite has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce termite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- myte
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Termite pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- myteKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of termite
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TUR-myte.
What does termite mean?
- A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.
- A contemptible person.
- Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.
Where does termite come from?
Inferred singular of termites, the plural form borrowed from Latin termites, the plural of Latin termes (“woodworm”), which was used for termites by Linnaeus.
Questions about saying termite
How do you pronounce termite?
Say TUR-myte. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝmaɪt/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːmaɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in termite?
Termite has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · myte.
Is termite 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 /ˈtɜːmaɪt/ (TUR-myte).