How to pronounce tourbillon
Say it like toor-bih-YON. Tourbillon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (YON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tourbillon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- toor
- bih
- YON
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tourbillon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- toorGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- YONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of tourbillon
- 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: toor-bih-YON.
What does tourbillon mean?
- A rotating frame, containing the escapement of a clock or watch, that significantly compensates for the effects of gravity.
- A whirlwind.
- A kind of firework that gyrates in the air.
Where does tourbillon come from?
Borrowed from French tourbillon (“whirlwind”).
Words that rhyme with tourbillon
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tourbillon.
Questions about saying tourbillon
How do you pronounce tourbillon?
Say toor-bih-YON. The American pronunciation is /ˌtʊrbɪˈjɑn/. In British English it is /ˌtʊəbɪˈjɒn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tourbillon?
Tourbillon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (YON). Broken into parts: toor · bih · YON.
Is tourbillon 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 /ˌtʊəbɪˈjɒn/ (toor-bih-YON).