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Why "fillet" sounds different in British English
British English says /ˈfɪlɪt/, exactly as it is spelled: stressed on the first syllable, with a short "i" in both syllables and a clear T at the end. It is used for fish, meat and the verb alike, so you fillet a fillet of plaice and order fillet steak.
American English usually says /fɪˈleɪ/, with a silent T and stress on the last syllable, closer to French and to the menu spelling "filet", as in "filet mignon". "FIL-it" is also heard in the US. In Britain, "fih-LAY" generally sounds American or like a deliberate French menu term. For everyday British English, pronounce the T and keep the stress at the front.
How to say "fillet" like a Brit, step by step
- Stress the first syllable: FIL, rhyming with "pill".
- Use a light, clear l to start the second syllable.
- Say a short it, not "ay".
- Pronounce the final t: FIL-it.
Practise "fillet" in a sentence
- I'll have the salmon fillet with new potatoes, please.
- Ask the fishmonger to fillet the mackerel for you.
- Fillet steak is the most expensive cut on the menu.
Saying it once correctly is easy. Saying it right in the middle of a fast sentence is the hard part, which is why the sentences above matter more than the single word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce fillet in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, fillet is pronounced /ˈfɪlɪt/, roughly "FIL-it". Stress the first syllable and pronounce the T: "FIL-it".
Is the American pronunciation of fillet wrong?
No. /fɪˈleɪ/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /ˈfɪlɪt/.