How to pronounce aft
Say it like AFT. Aft is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aft. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AFT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aft pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AFTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of aft
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: AHFT.
What does aft mean?
- At, near, or towards the stern of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
- located at the back of a boat, ship, or airplane
- Alternative form of afternoon: the time of day from noon until early evening.
Where does aft come from?
From Old English æftan (“behind”); possibly originally superlative of of (“off”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with aft
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of aft.
Questions about saying aft
How do you pronounce aft?
Say AFT. The American pronunciation is /æft/. In British English it is /ɑːft/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aft?
Aft is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: AFT.
Is aft pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /ɑːft/ (AHFT).