How to pronounce apostrophes
Say it like uh-POS-truh-feez. Apostrophes has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce apostrophes. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- POS
- truh
- feez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Apostrophes 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.
- POSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- feezGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of apostrophes
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: uh-POS-truh-feez.
What does apostrophes mean?
- plural of apostrophe How to pronounce apostrophe
Questions about saying apostrophes
How do you pronounce apostrophes?
Say uh-POS-truh-feez. The American pronunciation is /əˈpɑstrəˌfiz/. In British English it is /əˈpɒstrəˌfiːz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in apostrophes?
Apostrophes has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POS). Broken into parts: uh · POS · truh · feez.
Is apostrophes pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /əˈpɒstrəˌfiːz/ (uh-POS-truh-feez).