How Do Brits Say Tomato: The British Pronunciation Unveiled

How is “tomato” pronounced in British English compared to its pronunciation in American English? Typically, we pronounce the word “tomato” as “to-may-to” in British English. How does this pronunciation differ from the American way of saying it? Watch this YouTube video to learn more about the pronunciation of “tomato” in both British and American English.

The term “tomato” was introduced to the English language from Spanish in 1753, which was after the period of the Great Vowel Shift. Consequently, the pronunciation was established as “tomato.” Nevertheless, during the 18th century, there was a localized vowel shift in and around London. It’s important to bear in mind that vowel sounds in language are subject to continual, albeit sometimes subtle, changes over time. This shift likely played a role in shaping the pronunciation of “tomato” in British English.

The term “English tomato” refers to the commonly known large, round, pulpy berry of a herbaceous plant belonging to the Solanum genus, which is part of the nightshade family. Originally native to South America, these berries are typically red, although they can also be found in shades of yellow, orange, green, or purplish. English tomatoes are widely consumed both in their raw state and as a cooked vegetable. Additionally, an “English tomato” can also denote the plant itself, which is responsible for producing these berries. This information was last updated on September 20th, 2023.