How to pronounce tourmaline
Say it like TOOR-muh-leen. Tourmaline has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tourmaline. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TOOR
- muh
- leen
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tourmaline pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TOORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leenGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of tourmaline
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TOOR-muh-leen.
What does tourmaline mean?
- A complex black or dark-colored borosilicate mineral, compounded with various chemical elements and considered a semi-precious stone.
- A transparent gemstone cut from it.
Questions about saying tourmaline
How do you pronounce tourmaline?
Say TOOR-muh-leen. The American pronunciation is /ˈtʊrməˌlin/. In British English it is /ˈtʊəməˌliːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tourmaline?
Tourmaline has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOOR). Broken into parts: TOOR · muh · leen.
Is tourmaline 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 /ˈtʊəməˌliːn/ (TOOR-muh-leen).