2 syllables: Bath, tub. Stress on Bath.
BATH-tuhb
/ˈbæθtəb/
Bathtub is pronounced BATH-tuhb (/ˈbæθtəb/). It has two syllables (Bath-tub), with the stress on "Bath". Bathtub is a common noun referring to a tub filled with water for bathing. It typically denotes a bathroom fixture designed for washing the body, and can be used in phrases like “bath tub” in some varieties. In everyday speech, it’s a two-syllable word with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈbæˌθʌb/ (US/UK) or /ˈbæˌtʌb/ in some accents, depending on cliticization and regional pronunciation.
nounBathtub is a common noun referring to a tub filled with water for bathing. It typically denotes a bathroom fixture designed for washing the body, and can be used in phrases like “bath tub” in some varieties. In everyday speech, it’s a two-syllable word with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈbæˌθʌb/ (US/UK) or /ˈbæˌtʌb/ in some accents, depending on cliticization and regional pronunciation.
"She drew a warm bath and stepped into the bathtub."
"The bathroom renovation included a freestanding bathtub and a glass shower."
"I dropped a toy in the bathtub and it rolled to the far corner."
You pronounce it with two syllables: /ˈbæˌθʌb/. The first syllable has primary stress, with a short a as in 'bat,' followed by a clear /θ/ (the TH sound) and the final /b/. In US/UK, it’s often /ˈbæˌθʌb/; in some softer quick speech, the /θ/ can be slightly weakened. Practice saying ‘BAT’ + ‘THUB’ smoothly, keeping the tongue between the teeth for /θ/ and finishing with a crisp /b/.
Common errors include replacing /θ/ with /f/ or /d/ (e.g., 'baf tub'), or merging the two syllables too evenly as /ˈbæθʌb/ without clear stress on the first syllable. Another mistake is over-pronouncing the second vowel, making it sound like /ˈbæθˌjuːb/ or 'bath-u-b.' Correction: keep the first syllable stressed and crisp, produce the interdental fricative /θ/ with the tongue lightly touching the upper teeth, and end sharply on /b/ without trailing vocalic vowel.
In most American and British accents, you have /ˈbæˌθʌb/. The key difference is the rhoticity and vowel quality: US vowels may be more lax (short /æ/ and /ʌ/), while some UK speakers preserve slightly tenser vowels and less vowel reduction in rapid speech. Australian English generally keeps /ˈbæˌθʌb/ but with a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable and a more dental emphasis on /θ/. The main consonants remain the same, but rhythm and intonation can shift.
Its difficulty arises from the interdental /θ/ sound, which requires the tongue to touch the upper teeth, a place many learners don’t regularly use. The cluster /ˈbæ/ before /θ/ can tempt learners to misplace the /t/ or merge the two syllables. Maintaining the two-syllable profile with primary stress on the first syllable and a clear /θ/ between the vowels is essential. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘bath’ vs ‘bat’ helps solidify the /θ/ placement.
For SEO and search queries, users often search phrases like 'how to say bathtub' or 'bathtub pronunciation.' Ensure content includes IPA /ˈbæˌθʌb/ and differentiates from similar terms like 'bath' or 'tub' to capture long-tail variations. Emphasize the interdental /θ/ sound and the stress pattern, and provide audio or clear phonetic breakdown for quick recognition.
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The word bathtub originates from two earlier words: bath, from Old English bath (from Proto-Germanic *bathaz) meaning a bath or bathing, and tub, from Middle English tubbe, a borrowing from Old Norse or potentially Old French tub, referring to a large vessel. The compound emerged in English by the late Middle Ages as household bathing fixtures became more common. By the 19th century, the two-word form bath tub was frequently used in writing to describe a vessel for bathing contained within a bathroom; over time, hyphenation and then single-word usage became standard in many dialects, especially in American English. The semantic shift aligns with domestic plumbing advances and the commodification of indoor bathrooms. Early references often described “a tub” or “bath-tub” in manuals and catalogs; as indoor plumbing spread in the 1800s and 1900s, the term consolidated into “bathtub” in American usage and similar forms in British English, reflecting evolving architectural language and consumerism around home sanitation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bathtub" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Bathtub" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Bathtub"
-rub sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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