How to pronounce thermonuclear
Say it like thur-moh-NYOO-klee-er. Thermonuclear has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce thermonuclear. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- thur
- moh
- NYOO
- klee
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Thermonuclear pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- thurGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- mohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- NYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- kleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of thermonuclear
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: thur-moh-NYOO-klee-uh.
What does thermonuclear mean?
- Of, or relating to the fusion of atomic nuclei at high temperatures.
- Of, or relating to the use of atomic weapons based on such fusion, especially as distinguished from those based on fission.
- A thermonuclear weapon.“China detonated her first thermonuclear in June 1967.”
Where does thermonuclear come from?
From thermo- + nuclear.
Questions about saying thermonuclear
How do you pronounce thermonuclear?
Say thur-moh-NYOO-klee-er. The American pronunciation is /ˌθɝmoʊˈnjukliər/. In British English it is /ˌθɜːməʊˈnjuːkliːə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in thermonuclear?
Thermonuclear has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NYOO). Broken into parts: thur · moh · NYOO · klee · er.
Is thermonuclear 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 /ˌθɜːməʊˈnjuːkliːə/ (thur-moh-NYOO-klee-uh).