How to Pronounce “vinaigrette”

American (US)

/ˌvɪnəˈɡret/

British (UK)

/ˌvɪnɪˈɡret/

noun — A sauce, made of an acidic liquid such as vinegar or lemon juice; oil; and other ingredients, used as a salad dressing, or as a marinade for cold meats.

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

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

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌvɪnəˈɡret/ 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 "vinaigrette" mean?

vinaigrette (noun): A sauce, made of an acidic liquid such as vinegar or lemon juice; oil; and other ingredients, used as a salad dressing, or as a marinade for cold meats.

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

American English: /ˌvɪnəˈɡret/. British English: /ˌvɪnɪˈɡret/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "vinaigrette"?

/ˌvɪnəˈɡret/ in American English, /ˌvɪnɪˈɡret/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "vinaigrette"?

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