How to Pronounce Guillotine

To pronounce "guillotine", say GUILL-ot-in-e — 4 syllables, IPA /ˈɡiː.ə.tiːn/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

guillotine

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying guillotine, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

4

Syllables

10

Letters

/ˈɡiː.ə.tiːn/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “guillotine”

"guillotine" has 4 syllables: guill-ot-in-e. It rhymes with keen and obscene, if that helps it stick.

What does guillotine mean?

noun

  1. A machine used for the application of capital punishment by decapitation, consisting of a tall upright frame from which is suspended a heavy diagonal-edged blade.
  2. A device used for cutting stacks of paper to straight edges, usually by means of a hinged blade attached to a flat platform.

verb

  1. To execute, cut or cut short (a person, a stack of paper or a debate) by use of a guillotine.
  2. To end discussion on a parliamentary bill by invoking cloture.

Hear “guillotine” 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 guillotine

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

keenobscenemeanbyzantinelibertinecareenleandemeanpreengleancontraveneteen

Related words

sashguillotinementguillotinismheadsmangibbetgarrottedeathdecapitation

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "guillotine"?▾

"Guillotine" has 4 syllables: guill · ot · in · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "guillotine"?▾

The IPA transcription of "guillotine" is /ˈɡiː.ə.tiːn/.

What does "guillotine" mean?▾

Guillotine: A machine used for the application of capital punishment by decapitation, consisting of a tall upright frame from which is suspended a heavy diagonal-edged blade.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “guillotine” in the full dictionary →