How to pronounce adverb
Say it like AD-vurb. Adverb has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce adverb. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AD
- vurb
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Adverb pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- vurbKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of adverb
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AD-vurb.
What does adverb mean?
- To make into or become an adverb.
Where does adverb come from?
Borrowed from French adverbe, from Latin adverbium, from ad- (“to”) + verb(um) (“word, verb”) + -ium, so called because it is used to supplement other words (not specifically verbs).
Questions about saying adverb
How do you pronounce adverb?
Say AD-vurb. The American pronunciation is /ˈædvɝb/. In British English it is /ˈædvɜːb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in adverb?
Adverb has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD). Broken into parts: AD · vurb.
Is adverb 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 /ˈædvɜːb/ (AD-vurb).