How to pronounce tether
Say it like TETH-er. Tether has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TETH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tether. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TETH
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tether pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TETHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tether
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TETH-uh.
What does tether mean?
- To restrict with, or as if with, a tether.“The cowboy tethered his horse outside the saloon.”
- To connect to something else.
- A rope, cable etc. that holds something in place whilst allowing some movement.
- The limit of one's abilities, resources, patience, etc.“Since his hours have increased, I feel that he is at the end of his tether.”
- An attachment to a place, time, entity or person.“Despite moving, he maintained a strong tether to his culture back home.”
- Alternative form of tethera.
Where does tether come from?
From Middle English tether, teder, from Old English *tēoder and/or Old Norse tjóðr ( > Danish tøjr, Swedish tjuder); both from Proto-Germanic *teudrą (“rope; cord; shaft”), of uncertain origin.
Questions about saying tether
How do you pronounce tether?
Say TETH-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛðər/. In British English it is /ˈtɛðə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tether?
Tether has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TETH). Broken into parts: TETH · er.
Is tether 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 /ˈtɛðə/ (TETH-uh).