How to pronounce tortoiseshell
Say it like TOR-tuh-shel. Tortoiseshell has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tortoiseshell. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TOR
- tuh
- shel
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tortoiseshell pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- shelGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of tortoiseshell
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAW-tuh-shel.
What does tortoiseshell mean?
- The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.
- The hawksbill turtle.
- A domestic cat (or a rabbit, guinea-pig, etc.) whose fur has black, brown and yellow markings.
- Made of the covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
- Having markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
Where does tortoiseshell come from?
From tortoise + shell.
Questions about saying tortoiseshell
How do you pronounce tortoiseshell?
Say TOR-tuh-shel. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɔrtəˌʃɛl/. In British English it is /ˈtɔːtəˌʃɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tortoiseshell?
Tortoiseshell has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOR). Broken into parts: TOR · tuh · shel.
Is tortoiseshell 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 /ˈtɔːtəˌʃɛl/ (TAW-tuh-shel).