How to pronounce wheatear
Say it like WEE-tee-er. Wheatear has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wheatear. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WEE
- tee
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wheatear pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of wheatear
- 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: WEE-tee-uh.
What does wheatear mean?
- Any of various passerine birds of the genus Oenanthe that feed on insects,
- especially, the northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
- An ear of wheat.
- A decorative pattern resembling an ear of wheat.
- An anomalous form of carnation, producing small green ears instead of flowers.
Where does wheatear come from?
Uncertain. Probably a back-formation from Middle English whit ers (“white arse”), after the prominent white rump of many species.
Questions about saying wheatear
How do you pronounce wheatear?
Say WEE-tee-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈwitiər/. In British English it is /ˈwiːtiə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wheatear?
Wheatear has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEE). Broken into parts: WEE · tee · er.
Is wheatear 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 /ˈwiːtiə/ (WEE-tee-uh).