Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ferment

/fɚˈmɛnt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.85 in modern English

Syllables
fer-ment
IPA
/fɚˈmɛnt/
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Something, such as a yeast or barm, that causes fermentation.

noun

A state of agitation or of turbulent change.

noun

A catalyst.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English ferment, from Middle French ferment, from Latin fermentāre (“to leaven, ferment”), from fermentum (“substance causing fermentation”), possibly from contraction of *fervimentum, from fervēre. See also fervent.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: ferment, fermentō

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /fɚˈmɛnt/
  • British English: /fəˈmɛnt/

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Chemistry.

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce ferment?
The recorded pronunciation is /fɚˈmɛnt/.
What does ferment mean?
To react, using fermentation; especially to produce alcohol by aging or by allowing yeast to act on sugars; to brew.
Where does ferment come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce ferment

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “ferment”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/fɚˈmɛnt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “ferment”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “ferment” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.