2 syllables: Mac, beth. Stress on beth.
muhk-BETH
/məˈkbɛθ/
Macbeth is pronounced muhk-BETH (/məˈkbɛθ/). It has two syllables (Mac-beth), with the stress on "beth". Macbeth is a proper noun referring to the Shakespearean title character (or the play itself). The name denotes a tragic figure whose content is tied to ambition, prophecy, and royal tragedy. In pronunciation, the word is typically stressed on the first syllable and ends with a light “th” sound, produced with a dental fricative.
nounMacbeth is a proper noun referring to the Shakespearean title character (or the play itself). The name denotes a tragic figure whose content is tied to ambition, prophecy, and royal tragedy. In pronunciation, the word is typically stressed on the first syllable and ends with a light “th” sound, produced with a dental fricative.
- You may substitute the final /θ/ with /f/ or /d/; fix by placing the tip of the tongue lightly on the upper teeth and forcing air through the narrow gap. - The second syllable often becomes /bɪ/ or /bjə/; stabilize it to /bɛθ/ with a clear /ɛ/ vowel and the dental fricative. - Some speakers over-voice the initial /mæ/ or insert an extra vowel; practice the tight two-syllable form /ˈmæk_bɛθ/ with minimal vowel spreading.
How to Pronounce Macbeth
"Macbeth appears in a pivotal scene where prophecy foreshadows the king’s downfall."
"The audience debated whether Macbeth’s soliloquy reveals guilt or resolve."
"Scholars compare Macbeth’s rhetoric to other tragic heroes in early modern drama."
Macbeth is pronounced /ˈmækbɛθ/ in US/UK practice, with two syllables: MAC-beth. The initial cluster /mæk/ uses a short a, the second syllable /bɛθ/ ends with the voiceless dental fricative /θ/. Stress falls on the first syllable. In some Scottish pronunciations or in certain performance traditions you may hear a lighter first syllable and a crisper /θ/. Audio references include standard dictionaries and朗 YouGlish clips for native usage.
Common errors include saying /ˈmækˌbɪð/ (wrong vowel in the second syllable) and pronouncing the final sound as /d/ rather than /θ/. Some speakers also overemphasize the second syllable or reduce /b/ to a bilabial stop without voicing contrast. The correct final dental fricative /θ/ requires the tongue blade lightly touching the upper teeth. Practice with a slow pace and a mirror to ensure the tip of the tongue creates a frictional sound.
In General American, stress on the first syllable with /æ/ and /θ/. UK Received Pronunciation keeps /æ/ and /θ/ but may feature crisper dental articulation and less voicing. Australian English typically retains /æ/ but may have a slightly broader vowel space, softening /æ/ toward /æː/ in some contexts. Across accents, the /æ/ vowel and the dental fricative /θ/ remain key features; some dialects may voice the /θ/ slightly or substitute with a /f/ in nonstandard speech.
The difficulty lies in the final dental fricative /θ/, which many speakers substitute with /f/ or /t/; this is especially challenging in connected speech when the end of the word links to consonants. The initial cluster /mækb/ requires precise articulation: a short, clipped /æ/ followed by a /k/ and /b/ without vowel loss. The two-syllable rhythm sits inside iambic pentameter; maintaining the stress pattern in continuous speech can be tough.
In many performances, the name Macbeth is whispered or stressed elliptically in ritual scenes, or whispered as /ˈmæk.bɪθ/ with a softened second vowel due to elision or performance practice. The distinction between the historical Scottish form and the Shakespearean anglicized form can also influence choices in vowels and consonants; you may hear /ˈmækˌbɛɪθ/ in some dialects as a stylistic effect, but standard modern pronunciation remains /ˈmækbɛθ/ with final /θ/.
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- US: /ˈmækbɛθ/ with rhoticity not affecting vowel quality here. - UK: crisp /θ/ and dental articulation; maintain short, clipped /æ/; avoid over-lip rounding. - AU: similar to US/UK but can exhibit slightly broader vowels and a lighter /θ/; ensure the dental fricative remains voiceless. IPA references support accurate articulation across accents.
Macbeth is derived from Scottish or Gaelic origins associated with the Scottish king Macbeth (Mac Bethad). The element Mac- means ‘son of’ in Gaelic, and Bethad is linked to the Gaelic name Beathadh or Beth, with interpretive roots tied to ‘deprived’ or ‘drama.’ In Shakespeare’s era, the name was used to evoke Scottish royalty and historic resonance. The character appears in Holinshed’s Chronicles and earlier ballads; Shakespeare adopted it, preserving its Scots pronunciation while embedding it within iambic pentameter and early modern English syntax. The first known printed version of the tragedy appeared in 1606 as part of the First Folio, though performances likely occurred earlier. Over time, Macbeth became both a literary figure and a cultural symbol for ambition, guilt, and the supernatural. The pronunciation and spelling of Macbeth reflect its Scottish orthography and Shakespearean stage conventions, which favored a terminal -th pronunciation and a clipped initial consonant cluster. This combination of linguistic heritage and theatrical context has cemented Macbeth as a unique proper noun with deep literary associations.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Macbeth" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Macbeth" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Macbeth" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Macbeth"
-eth sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
