Learn How to Pronounce taut

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

taut

Phonetic Transcription:

tɔːt

Examples:

As the Earth rotates, the ribbon is held taut.

I want you to tie it taut.

It's the force which pulls the string taut.

Learn more about:
taut

Related Words:

tight

thriller

How to perfect your pronunciation of: taut

Learn Individual Sounds

Break taut down into individual sounds such as tɔːt. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say taut in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say taut in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with taut.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of taut pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "taut" with an incorrect vowel sound, saying /tɔːt/ instead of the correct /tɔt/ (US) or /tɔːt/ (UK). Tip: Focus on producing a clear "aw" sound without elongation.
Ignoring the "t" at the end: A common mistake is dropping the final "t," resulting in a pronunciation like /tɔː/ or /tɔ/. Tip: Always enunciate the final "t" clearly to maintain the integrity of "taut."
Confusing with "taught": Some may confuse "taut" with "taught," pronouncing it as /tɔt/ instead of the correct /tɔt/ (US) or /tɔːt/ (UK). Tip: Remember that "taut" refers to tightness, while "taught" is the past tense of "teach."
Overemphasizing the vowel: Learners sometimes stress the vowel too much, saying /tɔːt/ instead of the correct /tɔt/ (US) or /tɔːt/ (UK). Tip: Keep the vowel short and crisp to achieve the right pronunciation of "taut."
Misplacing the primary stress: Some may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "taut" as /tɔˈt/. Tip: Ensure that the stress remains on the first syllable, pronounced as /ˈtɔt/ (US) or /ˈtɔːt/ (UK).

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "taut"?

In American English, "taut" is pronounced as /tɔt/ with a single syllable. The "a" sounds like the "aw" in "saw," and the "t" is crisp and clear.

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "taut" between US and UK English?

There is no significant difference in the pronunciation of "taut" in US and UK English; both use /tɔt/. The stress remains on the single syllable, making it straightforward to pronounce in either variant.

What are some common mistakes when pronouncing "taut"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing the "a" as "ah" instead of the correct "aw" sound. Additionally, some may add an extra syllable, saying it as "taut-uh," which is incorrect.

Does "taut" have any homophones or minimal pairs?

Yes, "taut" has a minimal pair with "taught," which is pronounced /tɔt/ as well. Both words sound the same, but their meanings are different, so context is important when using them.