How to pronounce "apprentice"

apprentice

Noun
American
/əˈprɛn.tɪs/

Syllable Breakdown

ap pren tice

How natives say apprentice

British
/əˈprɛn.tɪs/

Syllable Breakdown

ap pren tice

How natives say apprentice

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Begin with a schwa sound /ə/ as in 'sofa'.

  • Continue with /prɛn/ where 'pr' is pronounced quickly.

  • End with /tɪs/ sounding like 'tiss'.

Common Mistakes

  • ap-pren-diss

  • ap-pren-tease

  • uh-pren-tice

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Same as American

  • Same as American

  • Same as American

common mistakes

  • Same as American

  • Same as American

  • Same as American

FAQ

Why is 'apprentice' not pronounced 'app-rent-iss'?

The first 'a' is unstressed and sounds like a schwa /ə/.

Should the 't' in 'apprentice' be pronounced strongly?

Yes, pronounce it clearly as in 'top'.

How many syllables are in 'apprentice'?

'Apprentice' has three syllables: ap-pren-tice.

Definition

apprentice

A person learning a job from a skilled employer.

Word Family

apprenticeship

/əˈprɛn.tɪs.ʃɪp/

noun

The position of being an apprentice

Example: He completed his apprenticeship.

apprenticed

/əˈprɛn.tɪst/

verb

Having served as an apprentice

Example: She was apprenticed to a dressmaker.

mentor

/ˈmɛn.tɔr/

noun

An experienced advisor

Example: He was her mentor in engineering.

Key Pronunciation Differences

Ends with /sɪp/ vs /tɪs/ in 'apprenticeship'.

Adds -ed making /tɪst/ sound vs /tɪs/ in 'apprenticed'.

Starts with /mɛn/ vs /əprɛn/ in 'mentor'.

Pro Tips

Focus on the Schwa

The unstressed 'a' in 'apprentice' uses a schwa sound. Don't pronounce it like a full 'a'.

Quick 'pr' Sound

Say the 'pr' part quickly to maintain the flow without stressing it too much.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Apprentice

ability

/əˈbɪləti/

accessory

/əkˈsɛsəri/

adapt

/əˈdæpt/

adjust

/əˈdʒʌst/

advance

/ədˈvæns/

also

/ˈɔl.soʊ/

alter

/ˈɔltər/

apparatus

/ˌæp.əˈɹeɪ.təs/

Other Categories

Test Your Pronunciation On Words Within Other Categories

adjoin

abroad

agenda