How to pronounce tumbleweed
Say it like TUHM-bul-weed. Tumbleweed has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tumbleweed. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUHM
- bul
- weed
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tumbleweed pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- weedGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of tumbleweed
American and British speakers say tumbleweed in essentially the same way: /ˈtʌmbəlˌwid/ in the US and /ˈtʌmbəlwiːd/ in the UK.
British respelling: TUHM-bul-weed.
What does tumbleweed mean?
- Any plant which habitually breaks away from its roots once dry, forming a light, rolling mass which is driven by the wind from place to place; as Russian thistle, wild indigo, witch grass, Amaranthus albus, etc.
- Describing unwanted silence and inactivity. Often used of a situation when one makes a statement that is ignored or ill-received by one's audience, as the resultant silence is likened to that of a desolate desert with rolling tumbleweeds.
- A tan color, like that of a tumbleweed.
Where does tumbleweed come from?
From tumble + weed.
Questions about saying tumbleweed
How do you pronounce tumbleweed?
Say TUHM-bul-weed. The American pronunciation is /ˈtʌmbəlˌwid/. In British English it is /ˈtʌmbəlwiːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tumbleweed?
Tumbleweed has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUHM). Broken into parts: TUHM · bul · weed.
Do Americans and Brits say tumbleweed the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtʌmbəlˌwid/ and the British form is /ˈtʌmbəlwiːd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.