How to Pronounce “repertoire”

American (US)

/ˈrepərtwɑːr/

British (UK)

/ˈrepətwɑː/

noun — The whole set of works or skills a person or group is ready to perform.

Example: The quartet added three new pieces to its repertoire.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈrepərtwɑːr/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “repertoire” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “repertoire” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈrepərtwɑːr/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈrepərtwɑːr/ 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 "repertoire" mean?

repertoire (noun): The whole set of works or skills a person or group is ready to perform. For example — The quartet added three new pieces to its repertoire.

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

American English: /ˈrepərtwɑːr/. British English: /ˈrepətwɑː/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "repertoire"?

/ˈrepərtwɑːr/ in American English, /ˈrepətwɑː/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "repertoire"?

“repertoire” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈrepərtwɑːr/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

• French loanwords