How to pronounce turnip
Say it like TUR-nip. Turnip has two 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 turnip. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- nip
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Turnip 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.
- nipKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of turnip
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TUR-nip.
What does turnip mean?
- The white root of a yellow-flowered plant, Brassica rapa, grown as a vegetable and as fodder for cattle.
- The yellow root of a related plant, the swede or Brassica napus.
- The white root of Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus, also known as a daikon.
- To plant with turnips.
- To feed or graze (livestock) on turnips.
Where does turnip come from?
From Middle English turnepe, probably from turn + Middle English nepe, from Old English nǣp, from Latin nāpus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying turnip
How do you pronounce turnip?
Say TUR-nip. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝnɪp/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːnɪp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in turnip?
Turnip has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · nip.
Is turnip 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 /ˈtɜːnɪp/ (TUR-nip).