How to pronounce whiplash
Say it like WIP-lash. Whiplash has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce whiplash. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIP
- lash
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Whiplash pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WIPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- lashGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of whiplash
American and British speakers say whiplash in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪpˌlæʃ/ in the US and /ˈwɪpˌlæʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIP-lash.
What does whiplash mean?
- The lash of a whip.
- An injury to the upper spine connected to a violent jerk of the head in either a backward or forward or side to side direction, resembling the motion of a whip.
- An abrupt and unexpected change, or the resulting feeling of shock.“tonal whiplash”
- To jerk back and forth; to buffet.
- To lash as if with a whip.
Where does whiplash come from?
From whip + lash.
Questions about saying whiplash
How do you pronounce whiplash?
Say WIP-lash. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪpˌlæʃ/. In British English it is /ˈwɪpˌlæʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in whiplash?
Whiplash has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIP). Broken into parts: WIP · lash.
Do Americans and Brits say whiplash the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪpˌlæʃ/ and the British form is /ˈwɪpˌlæʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.