How to pronounce turbulence
Say it like TUR-byuh-luns. Turbulence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce turbulence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- byuh
- luns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Turbulence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- byuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of turbulence
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TUR-byuh-luns.
What does turbulence mean?
- unstable flow of a liquid or gas
- instability in the atmosphere
- a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)“the industrial revolution was a period of great turbulence”
Where does turbulence come from?
From Middle English turbulence (“turbidity, cloudiness”), from Late Latin turbulentia (“trouble, disquiet”).
Questions about saying turbulence
How do you pronounce turbulence?
Say TUR-byuh-luns. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝbjələns/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːbjələns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in turbulence?
Turbulence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · byuh · luns.
Is turbulence 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 /ˈtɜːbjələns/ (TUR-byuh-luns).