How to pronounce "retouch" in EnglishNoun
ɹɪˈtʌtʃ
rih·TUHCH
Primary stress: TUHCH
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
No video clips indexed yet for “retouch”
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “retouch”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
rih
Reduced vowel sound, relaxed jaw, and minimal vocal effort.
TUHCH
Elevated pitch, sustained vowel length, and full acoustic clarity.
Primary emphasis falls on the second syllable ("TUHCH"). Raise your pitch and sustain the vowel length on this syllable while relaxing the surrounding syllables.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Pronouncing a hard, aspirated [tʰ] in casual conversation can sound overly formal in North America.
How Native Speakers Say It: In American English, a single "t" between vowels quickly taps against the alveolar ridge like a soft "d" ([ɾ]). In British English, maintain a crisp aspirated [tʰ].
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When "retouch" is followed by a word starting with a vowel, glide the final consonant into the opening vowel (e.g. "retouch is" sounds like "retouch-iz").
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "retouch" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Practice Speaking “retouch”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
For time ſhall with his ready pencil ſtand; Retouch your figures with his ripening hand; Mellow your colors, and imbrown the teint; Add every grace, which time alone can grant; To future ages ſhall your fame convey, And give more beauties than he takes away.
Hear it in context: “retouch”
The English word “retouch” is transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as ɹɪˈtʌtʃ (phonetic respelling: rih-TUHCH). Phonologically, it consists of 2 syllables (rih · TUHCH), with primary lexical stress placed on the 2nd syllable (TUHCH). Grammatically, “retouch” functions as a verb, noun and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. Hear native speakers say retouch in context across real video clips
Definition & Meaning: “retouch”
- To improve something (especially a photograph), by adding or correcting details, or by removing flaws.
- To colour the roots of hair to match hair previously coloured.
- The act of retouching (in any sense).
Example Sentences (1)
- “For time ſhall with his ready pencil ſtand; Retouch your figures with his ripening hand; Mellow your colors, and imbrown the teint; Add every grace, which time alone can grant; To future ages ſhall your fame convey, And give more beauties than he takes away.”
Pronounce: “retouch”
- Pronunciation:
- rih-TUHCH
- Syllables:
- rih · TUHCH
- Written Hyphenation:
- re · touch
- Primary stress:
- TUHCH
- IPA:
- ɹɪˈtʌtʃ
- Hear it in context
- retouch
Words that Rhyme with “retouch”
-ʌtʃWords that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"retouch" (⁄ɹɪˈtʌtʃ⁄) has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "retouch" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about retouch
How do you pronounce “retouch”?
“retouch” is pronounced ⁄ɹɪˈtʌtʃ⁄ (rih-TUHCH). Listen to the audio pronunciation above to hear it spoken clearly.
How many syllables are in “retouch”?
“retouch” has 2 syllables: rih · TUHCH.
Where is the stress in “retouch”?
The primary stress in “retouch” is on “TUHCH”.
What does “retouch” mean?
To improve something (especially a photograph), by adding or correcting details, or by removing flaws.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “retouch”?
Pronouncing a hard, aspirated [tʰ] in casual conversation can sound overly formal in North America. In American English, a single "t" between vowels quickly taps against the alveolar ridge like a soft "d" ([ɾ]). In British English, maintain a crisp aspirated [tʰ].