How to pronounce turpitude
Say it like TUR-puh-tood. Turpitude 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 turpitude. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- puh
- tood
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Turpitude 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.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- toodKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of turpitude
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: TUR-pih-tyood.
What does turpitude mean?
- Inherent baseness, depravity or wickedness; corruptness and evilness.
- An act evident of such depravity.
Where does turpitude come from?
Borrowed from Middle French turpitude, from Latin turpitūdō (“baseness, infamy”), from turpis (“foul, base”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying turpitude
How do you pronounce turpitude?
Say TUR-puh-tood. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝpətud/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːpɪtjuːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in turpitude?
Turpitude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · puh · tood.
Is turpitude 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 /ˈtɜːpɪtjuːd/ (TUR-pih-tyood).