How to Pronounce Tortoiseshell

To pronounce "tortoiseshell", say TORT-ois-esh-ell — 4 syllables, IPA /ˈtɔː(ɹ)tə.ˌʃɛl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

tortoiseshell

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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4

Syllables

13

Letters

/ˈtɔː(ɹ)tə.ˌʃɛl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “tortoiseshell”

"tortoiseshell" has 4 syllables: tort-ois-esh-ell. It rhymes with tortoise-shell, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: tortoise-shell — easy to mix up when writing.

What does tortoiseshell mean?

noun

  1. The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.
  2. The hawksbill turtle.

adjective

  1. Made of the covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
  2. Having markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.

Synonyms

torttortie

Words that rhyme with tortoiseshell

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

tortoise-shell

Related words

tortoiseshell-cathawkbillhawksbillrhamphothecachicken-turtleshell

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "tortoiseshell"?▾

"Tortoiseshell" has 4 syllables: tort · ois · esh · ell.

What is the IPA transcription of "tortoiseshell"?▾

The IPA transcription of "tortoiseshell" is /ˈtɔː(ɹ)tə.ˌʃɛl/.

What does "tortoiseshell" mean?▾

Tortoiseshell: The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.

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