[General] Dentist - pronunciation

[beachboy]

In everyday English, is it common for natives to omit the first "t" when pronouncing the word "dentist" (like "dennist")? Does it apply to some other words?

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, it is possible in some accents when not speaking carefully.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Good question.

In American English, T's at the start of words are usually real T's, but in other parts of words, they often become D's, turn into a glottal (swallowed) T's, or are removed altogether.

So in "dentist," most Americans make it a D or completely skip it. In American English, T's don't always sound like T's.

See:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_P3sdvDIMc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FDjhKY8HwM
https://www.speakmethod.com/speakamericant.html

 

[Tdol]

Not in standard British English.

But it's not unknown.