How to pronounce upholstery
Say it like uh-POHL-stuh-ree. Upholstery has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce upholstery. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- POHL
- stuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Upholstery pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of upholstery
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: up-HOHL-stuh-ree.
What does upholstery mean?
- The craft or business of upholstering furniture.
- The materials used in upholstering furniture.
Where does upholstery come from?
First recorded in 1597; from upholster (noun) or upholster(er) + -(er)y or -y.
Questions about saying upholstery
How do you pronounce upholstery?
Say uh-POHL-stuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /əˈpoʊlstəri/. In British English it is /ʌpˈhəʊlstəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in upholstery?
Upholstery has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHL). Broken into parts: uh · POHL · stuh · ree.
Is upholstery pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ʌpˈhəʊlstəri/ (up-HOHL-stuh-ree).