How to pronounce aghast
Say it like uh-GAST. Aghast has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GAST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aghast. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- GAST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aghast 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.
- GASTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of aghast
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: uh-GAHST.
What does aghast mean?
- Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror.“I was aghast when the incident unfolded in front of me.”
Where does aghast come from?
From Middle English agast, agasted, past participle of agasten (“to terrify”), from Old English a- (compare with Gothic 𐌿𐍃- (us-), German er-, originally meaning "out") + gæstan (“to terrify, torment”): compare Gothic 𐌿𐍃𐌲𐌰𐌹𐍃𐌾𐌰𐌽 (usgaisjan,
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with aghast
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of aghast.
Questions about saying aghast
How do you pronounce aghast?
Say uh-GAST. The American pronunciation is /əˈɡæst/. In British English it is /əˈɡɑːst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aghast?
Aghast has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GAST). Broken into parts: uh · GAST.
Is aghast 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 /əˈɡɑːst/ (uh-GAHST).