English pronunciation · Words Starting with A

Asbestos Pronunciation

Asbestos is pronounced as-BE-stuhs, IPA /æsˈbɛstəs/.

as-BE-stuhs

US /æsˈbɛstəs/  ·  UK /æsˈbɛstəs/

Syllables: as · BE · stuhs (3 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

noun: A fibrous mineral once used for insulation and now known to cause lung disease.

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Asbestos in a Sentence

  • The survey found asbestos in the boiler room.
  • Asbestos was banned here in 1999.
  • Removing asbestos is a job for a licensed contractor.

Common Mispronunciations of Asbestos

Not AZ-bes-tos

The beat is on the middle syllable, BE, and the opening s stays hissing rather than turning into a z.

Not as-BES-toss

The last syllable is a faint stuhs. Giving it a full o makes the word sound like a Greek recitation.

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