How to pronounce turpentine
Say it like TUR-pun-tyne. Turpentine 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 turpentine. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- pun
- tyne
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Turpentine 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.
- punKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tyneGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of turpentine
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TUR-pun-tyne.
What does turpentine mean?
- Any oleoresin secreted by the wood or bark of certain trees.
- A volatile essential oil now obtained from such oleoresin of from the wood of pine trees by steam distillation; a complex mixture of monoterpenes; now used as a solvent and paint thinner.
- A turpentine tree (genus Syncarpia).
- To drain resin from (a tree) for use in making turpentine.
Words that rhyme with turpentine
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of turpentine.
Questions about saying turpentine
How do you pronounce turpentine?
Say TUR-pun-tyne. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝpənˌtaɪn/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːpənˌtaɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in turpentine?
Turpentine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · pun · tyne.
Is turpentine 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 /ˈtɜːpənˌtaɪn/ (TUR-pun-tyne).