English pronunciation · Words Starting with V

Veterinarian Pronunciation

Veterinarian is pronounced ve-truh-NE-ree-uhn, IPA /ˌvɛtɝəˈnɛriən/.

ve-truh-NE-ree-uhn

US /ˌvɛtɝəˈnɛriən/  ·  UK /ˌvɛtərɪˈneəriən/

Syllables: ve · truh · NE · ree · uhn (5 syllables, stress on syllable 3)

noun: A doctor who treats animals, usually shortened to vet in everyday speech.

Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.

Two Ways to Say Veterinarian

The pronunciation changes with the meaning or the part of speech. The form above is the most common; the others are:

  • the fuller reading, with every syllable sounded: (ve-ter-uh-NE-ree-uhn)

Veterinarian in a Sentence

  • The veterinarian wants to see her again in a fortnight.
  • He trained as a veterinarian in Dublin.
  • Ask the veterinarian before changing the dose.

Common Mispronunciations of Veterinarian

Not ve-truh-NAI-ree-uhn

The stressed vowel is the e of air as in vary, spelled NE here. An eye sound belongs nowhere in the word.

Not ve-truh-NE-ree-uhm

The ending is uhn, with an n. Swapping in an m borrows the ending of words like aquarium.

Tip: Most speakers squeeze the ter into a single truh, giving five syllables; the careful six-syllable ve-ter-uh-NE-ree-uhn is equally correct.

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