How to pronounce adverse
Say it like AD-vurs. Adverse 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 adverse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AD
- vurs
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Adverse 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.
- vursGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of adverse
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AD-vurs.
Other ways to say adverse
Adverse also has these pronunciations, usually with a different meaning or use:
- ad-VURS /ædˈvɝs/
- ud-VURS /ədˈvɝs/
What does adverse mean?
- contrary to your interests or welfare“adverse circumstances”“made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions”
- in an opposing direction“adverse currents”“a contrary wind”
Where does adverse come from?
First attested around 1374, from Old French avers (French adverse), from Latin adversus (“turned against”), past participle of advertere, from ad- (“to”) + vertere (“to turn”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying adverse
How do you pronounce adverse?
Say AD-vurs. The American pronunciation is /ˈædˌvɝs/. In British English it is /ˈædvɜːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in adverse?
Adverse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD). Broken into parts: AD · vurs.
Is adverse 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 /ˈædvɜːs/ (AD-vurs).