How to Pronounce Tabby

To pronounce "tabby", say TABBY — one syllable, IPA /ˈtæb.i/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

tabby

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Accent

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1

Syllable

5

Letters

/ˈtæb.i/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “tabby”

"tabby" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with shabby and crabby, if that helps it stick.

What does tabby mean?

noun

  1. A kind of waved silk, usually called watered silk, manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The watering is given to it by calendering.
  2. A mixture of lime with shells, gravel, or stones, in equal proportions, with an equal proportion of water. When dry, this becomes as hard as rock.

verb

  1. To give a wavy or watered appearance to (a textile).

adjective

  1. Having a wavy or watered appearance

    “a tabby waistcoat”

  2. Brindled; diversified in color

    “a tabby cat.”

Hear “tabby” 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 tabby

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

shabbycrabbyflabbyabbeslabbygabbygrabbycabbyscabbyyabbygabyblabby

Related words

brindedbrindledbrindlequeenpatternedtammytamintaffeta

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "tabby"?▾

"Tabby" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "tabby"?▾

The IPA transcription of "tabby" is /ˈtæb.i/.

What does "tabby" mean?▾

Tabby: A kind of waved silk, usually called watered silk, manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The watering is given to it by calendering.

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