How to Pronounce “refrigerator”

American (US)

/rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər/

British (UK)

/rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtə/

noun — An appliance that keeps food cold to slow spoiling.

Example: There is nothing in the refrigerator but mustard.

Where the stress falls. “refrigerator” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər/ 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. /rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər/ 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 "refrigerator" mean?

refrigerator (noun): An appliance that keeps food cold to slow spoiling. For example — There is nothing in the refrigerator but mustard.

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

American English: /rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər/. British English: /rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "refrigerator"?

/rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər/ in American English, /rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "refrigerator"?

“refrigerator” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər/ 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.