How to Pronounce Meltdown
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Meltdown Pronunciation
MELT-down
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
MELT
stress here
down
2 syllables
What is Meltdown?
An intense response to overwhelming sensory or emotional stimulation in which a person temporarily loses control of their behavior, which may include crying, shouting, or physical reactions. It is different from a tantrum in that it is not intentional and is driven by neurological overload rather than a desire to get something.
Questions About Meltdown
How do you pronounce 'meltdown'?
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Say it like this: MELT-down. The first part rhymes with 'felt,' and the second part sounds like the word 'down.' Put the stress on the first syllable—MELT—so it sounds like you're emphasizing the 'melt' part more than the 'down' part.
How many syllables does 'meltdown' have?
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The word 'meltdown' has 2 syllables: MELT and down. You say them quickly together without pausing between them.
Which syllable do you stress when saying 'meltdown'?
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You stress the first syllable: MELT-down (not melt-DOWN). A common mistake is putting the stress on the second syllable, but that sounds unnatural. Remember to say it louder and longer on the MELT part.
What does 'meltdown' mean in plain English?
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A meltdown is when someone becomes overwhelmed and temporarily loses control of their behavior—they might cry, shout, or have a strong physical reaction. The key word is 'overwhelmed': it's not something the person is doing on purpose, but rather something that happens when they've had too much to handle.
Is 'meltdown' one word or two words?
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In medical and mental health contexts, 'meltdown' is written as one word, not two. You might also see it written as 'melt-down' with a hyphen, but the single-word version 'meltdown' is most common today.
Where does the word 'meltdown' come from?
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The word 'meltdown' comes from the everyday phrase about melting—like how metal or ice melts. It was originally used to describe a dangerous failure in a nuclear reactor. Over time, people started using it to describe when a person emotionally or mentally 'melts down,' losing their composure in an overwhelming moment.
What's the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum?
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A meltdown and a tantrum are different things. A tantrum is when someone deliberately acts out because they want something or are trying to get a reaction. A meltdown, on the other hand, is an unintentional response to being overwhelmed—the person isn't doing it on purpose.
Can you use 'meltdown' in a sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: 'When the fire alarm went off suddenly, the noise caused such a meltdown that he had to leave the room.' This shows how a meltdown happens as a reaction to something overwhelming, not as a choice.