How to Pronounce “atorvastatin”

American (US)

/əˈtɔːɹvəˌstætɪn/

British (UK)

/əˌtɔːvəˈstætɪn/

noun — A statin used to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood. Trade names include Lipitor among others.

Where the stress falls. “atorvastatin” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /əˈtɔːɹvəˌstætɪn/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /əˈtɔːɹvəˌstætɪn/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "atorvastatin" mean?

atorvastatin (noun): A statin used to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood. Trade names include Lipitor among others.

How do you pronounce "atorvastatin" in American vs British English?

American English: /əˈtɔːɹvəˌstætɪn/. British English: /əˌtɔːvəˈstætɪn/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "atorvastatin"?

/əˈtɔːɹvəˌstætɪn/ in American English, /əˌtɔːvəˈstætɪn/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "atorvastatin"?

“atorvastatin” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /əˈtɔːɹvəˌstætɪn/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.