How to pronounce tonsure
Say it like TON-sher. Tonsure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tonsure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TON
- sher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tonsure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of tonsure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: TON-shuh.
What does tonsure mean?
- To shave the crown of the head of (a person) as a sign of humility and religious vocation.
- The hairstyle and characteristic bald patch resulting from being tonsured.
- A ritual shaving of this kind.
Where does tonsure come from?
From Middle English tonsure, from Anglo-Norman and Old French tonsure, from Latin tonsūra (“a clipping, trimming”), from tondeō (“shear, clip, trim”).
Questions about saying tonsure
How do you pronounce tonsure?
Say TON-sher. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑnʃɚ/. In British English it is /ˈtɒnʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tonsure?
Tonsure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TON). Broken into parts: TON · sher.
Is tonsure 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 /ˈtɒnʃə/ (TON-shuh).