How to pronounce tonsillitis
Say it like ton-suh-LY-tis. Tonsillitis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tonsillitis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ton
- suh
- LY
- tis
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tonsillitis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tonKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- tisKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of tonsillitis
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ton-suh-LY-tis.
What does tonsillitis mean?
- Inflammation of the tonsils.
Where does tonsillitis come from?
From tonsil + -itis.
Words that rhyme with tonsillitis
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tonsillitis.
Questions about saying tonsillitis
How do you pronounce tonsillitis?
Say ton-suh-LY-tis. The American pronunciation is /tɑnsəˈlaɪtɪs/. In British English it is /tɒnsəˈlaɪtɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY). Broken into parts: ton · suh · LY · tis.
Is tonsillitis pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /tɒnsəˈlaɪtɪs/ (ton-suh-LY-tis).