How to pronounce ampersand
Say it like AM-per-sand. Ampersand has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ampersand. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AM
- per
- sand
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ampersand pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- sandGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of ampersand
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AM-puh-sand.
What does ampersand mean?
- The symbol "&".“The ampersand character in many logics acts as an operator connecting two propositions.”
- To add an ampersand to.
Where does ampersand come from?
The specific form ampersand is first attested in 1795, originally as a mocking pronunciation spelling, but this name for the symbol is attested since 1777 (as ampuse and), when it is already called common (see quotations).
Questions about saying ampersand
How do you pronounce ampersand?
Say AM-per-sand. The American pronunciation is /ˈæmpɚˌsænd/. In British English it is /ˈæmpəˌsænd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ampersand?
Ampersand has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AM). Broken into parts: AM · per · sand.
Is ampersand 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 /ˈæmpəˌsænd/ (AM-puh-sand).