How to pronounce aardvark
Say it like ARD-vark. Aardvark has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ARD).
- ARD
- vark
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aardvark pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ARDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- varkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of aardvark
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AHD-vahk.
What does aardvark mean?
- The nocturnal, insectivorous, burrowing mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata and somewhat resembling a pig. Common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa.“The aardvark burrows in the ground and feeds mostly on termites, which it catches with its long, slimy tongue.”
Where does aardvark come from?
Borrowed from Afrikaans aardvark (now rare), erdvark, from aarde (“earth”, from Middle Dutch aerde) + vark (“pig”, from Middle Dutch varken).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- antbear
- anteater
- ant bear
- orycteropus afer
Questions about saying aardvark
How do you pronounce aardvark?
Say ARD-vark. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑrdˌvɑrk/. In British English it is /ˈɑːdvɑːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aardvark?
Aardvark has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ARD). Broken into parts: ARD · vark.
Is aardvark pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɑːdvɑːk/ (AHD-vahk).