How to pronounce watermelon
Say it like WAW-ter-mel-un. Watermelon has four 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 watermelon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAW
- ter
- mel
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Watermelon 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.
- melGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of watermelon
- 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-mel-un.
What does watermelon mean?
- A plant of the species Citrullus lanatus, bearing a melon-like fruit.
- The fruit of the watermelon plant, having a green rind and watery flesh that is typically bright red when ripe and contains black seeds.
- A pinkish-red color, like that of watermelon flesh (also called watermelon pink).
Where does watermelon come from?
The meanings referring to environmentalists and behind-schedule projects derive from the idea of having a green (eco-friendly, on-schedule) outward appearance while being red (socialist, behind schedule) in a hidden way comparable to that of the fruit.
Questions about saying watermelon
How do you pronounce watermelon?
Say WAW-ter-mel-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɔtɚˌmɛlən/. In British English it is /ˈwɔːtəˌmɛlən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in watermelon?
Watermelon has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAW). Broken into parts: WAW · ter · mel · un.
Is watermelon 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 /ˈwɔːtəˌmɛlən/ (WAW-tuh-mel-un).