How to pronounce waiter
Say it like WAY-ter. Waiter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce waiter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAY
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Waiter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of waiter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: WAY-tuh.
What does waiter mean?
- a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
- a person who waits or awaits
Where does waiter come from?
The London Stock Exchange sense harks back to the early days of trading in coffee-shops.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with waiter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of waiter.
Questions about saying waiter
How do you pronounce waiter?
Say WAY-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈweɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈweɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in waiter?
Waiter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAY). Broken into parts: WAY · ter.
Is waiter 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 /ˈweɪtə/ (WAY-tuh).