How to pronounce around
Say it like uh-ROWND. Around has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ROWND).
- uh
- ROWND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Around 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.
- ROWNDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of around
American and British speakers say around in essentially the same way: /əˈraʊnd/ in the US and /əˈraʊnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-ROWND.
What does around mean?
- Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something).“She wore a gold chain around her neck.”
- Centred upon; surrounding; regarding.“We could use some clarification around the new rules.”
- Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point.“We walked around the football field.”
- Present in the vicinity.“Is Clare around today?”
- Alive; existing.“The record store on Main Street? Yes, it's still around.”
- So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.“High above, vultures circled around.”
- So as to surround or be near.“Everybody please gather around.”
- Nearly; approximately; about.“Around a thousand people attended.”
Where does around come from?
From Middle English around, arounde, from a- (from Old English a- (“on, at”)) + Middle English round (“circle, round”) borrowed from French, equivalent to a- + round.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- environ
- about
Words that rhyme with around
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of around.
Questions about saying around
How do you pronounce around?
Say uh-ROWND. The American pronunciation is /əˈraʊnd/. In British English it is /əˈraʊnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in around?
Around has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ROWND). Broken into parts: uh · ROWND.
Do Americans and Brits say around the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈraʊnd/ and the British form is /əˈraʊnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.