How to pronounce waterman
Say it like WAW-ter-mun. Waterman has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce waterman. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAW
- ter
- mun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Waterman pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- munKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of waterman
- 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: WAW-tuh-mun.
What does waterman mean?
- A man who lives or works on the water; a boatman.
- Someone who distributes or supplies water for a living; a water-carrier.
- Specifically, an attendant on cab stands who supplies water to the horses.
Where does waterman come from?
From Middle English waterman, equivalent to water + -man.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying waterman
How do you pronounce waterman?
Say WAW-ter-mun. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɔtɚmən/. In British English it is /ˈwɔːtəmən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in waterman?
Waterman has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAW). Broken into parts: WAW · ter · mun.
Is waterman 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 /ˈwɔːtəmən/ (WAW-tuh-mun).