How to pronounce about
Say it like uh-BOWT. About has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOWT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce about. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- BOWT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
About pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BOWTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of about
American and British speakers say about in essentially the same way: /əˈbaʊt/ in the US and /əˈbaʊt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-BOWT.
What does about mean?
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct“lasted approximately an hour”“in just about a minute”
- all around or on all sides“dirty clothes lying around (or about)”“let's look about for help”
- in the area or vicinity“a few spectators standing about”“hanging around”
- on the move“up and about”“the whole town was astir over the incident”
Where does about come from?
Adjective from Middle English about (adverb).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with about
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of about.
Questions about saying about
How do you pronounce about?
Say uh-BOWT. The American pronunciation is /əˈbaʊt/. In British English it is /əˈbaʊt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in about?
About has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOWT). Broken into parts: uh · BOWT.
Do Americans and Brits say about the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈbaʊt/ and the British form is /əˈbaʊt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.