How to pronounce whippersnapper
Say it like WIP-er-snap-er. Whippersnapper has four 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 whippersnapper. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIP
- er
- snap
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Whippersnapper 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.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- snapGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of whippersnapper
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WIP-uh-snap-uh.
What does whippersnapper mean?
- A young and cheeky or presumptuous person; often with a connotation of ignorance via inexperience.“These whippersnappers have never had to walk far or carry water.”
Where does whippersnapper come from?
Extension of *whip-snapper (“a cracker of whips”), or perhaps from snipper-snapper.
Questions about saying whippersnapper
How do you pronounce whippersnapper?
Say WIP-er-snap-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪpərˌsnæpər/. In British English it is /ˈwɪpəˌsnæpə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in whippersnapper?
Whippersnapper has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIP). Broken into parts: WIP · er · snap · er.
Is whippersnapper 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 /ˈwɪpəˌsnæpə/ (WIP-uh-snap-uh).