How to pronounce threshold
Say it like THRESH-ohld. Threshold has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THRESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce threshold. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- THRESH
- ohld
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Threshold pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THRESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohldGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of threshold
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: THRESH-ohld.
What does threshold mean?
- the starting point for a new state or experience“on the threshold of manhood”
- the smallest detectable sensation
- the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close“he stuck his head in the doorway”
Where does threshold come from?
Pronunciations such as “thresh-hold” are un-etymological and result from analogy with hold.
Questions about saying threshold
How do you pronounce threshold?
Say THRESH-ohld. The American pronunciation is /ˈθrɛˌʃoʊld/. In British English it is /ˈθrɛˌʃəʊld/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in threshold?
Threshold has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THRESH). Broken into parts: THRESH · ohld.
Is threshold 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 /ˈθrɛˌʃəʊld/ (THRESH-ohld).