How to pronounce tombstone
Say it like TOOM-stohn. Tombstone has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tombstone. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TOOM
- stohn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tombstone pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TOOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- stohnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of tombstone
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: TOOM-stohn.
What does tombstone mean?
- A grave marker, a stone slab or similar object marking a person's grave.
- The symbol "∎" marking the end of a proof.
- A marker that takes the place of deleted data, allowing for replication of the deletion across servers etc.
- To take part in tombstoning: to jump into the sea, etc. from a cliff or other high point so as to enter the water vertically straight.
- For a surfboard to stand upright half-submerged in the water (like a tombstone, above) because the surfer is underwater with his or her legrope pulled tight. Often this indicates a surfer in difficulty, either held down by the power of a wave or unconscious and unable to get to the surface.
- To replace (an object or data) with a tombstone marker.
Where does tombstone come from?
From tomb + stone.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying tombstone
How do you pronounce tombstone?
Say TOOM-stohn. The American pronunciation is /ˈtumˌstoʊn/. In British English it is /ˈtuːmstəʊn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tombstone?
Tombstone has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOOM). Broken into parts: TOOM · stohn.
Is tombstone 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 /ˈtuːmstəʊn/ (TOOM-stohn).