How to Pronounce Caterpillar

To pronounce "caterpillar", say CAT-erp-ill-ar — 4 syllables, IPA /ˈkætəˌpɪlə/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

caterpillar

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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4

Syllables

11

Letters

/ˈkætəˌpɪlə/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “caterpillar”

"caterpillar" has 4 syllables: cat-erp-ill-ar. It rhymes with pillar and killer, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: caterpiller — easy to mix up when writing.

What does caterpillar mean?

noun

  1. The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.

    “The bird just ate that green caterpillar.”

  2. A vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.

Synonyms

leafworm

Hear “caterpillar” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with caterpillar

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

pillarkillermankillerfillermillerdistillerchillerpainkillerhillerthrillerschillerdriller

Related words

cattrackedcaterpillar-trackedmothlarvallarvaflowerchenille

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "caterpillar"?▾

"Caterpillar" has 4 syllables: cat · erp · ill · ar.

What is the IPA transcription of "caterpillar"?▾

The IPA transcription of "caterpillar" is /ˈkætəˌpɪlə/.

What does "caterpillar" mean?▾

Caterpillar: The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.

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