How to pronounce arrow
Say it like AR-oh. Arrow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce arrow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AR
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arrow pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of arrow
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: AR-oh.
Other ways to say arrow
Arrow also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- ER-oh /ˈɛroʊ/
What does arrow mean?
- a mark to indicate a direction or relation
- a projectile with a straight thin shaft and an arrowhead on one end and stabilizing vanes on the other; intended to be shot from a bow
Where does arrow come from?
From Middle English arwe, from Old English earh (“arrow”) (oblique form ēarw-), from Proto-West Germanic *arhu (“arrow”), from Proto-Germanic *arhwō (“arrow”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érkʷo- (“bow, arrow”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with arrow
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of arrow.
Questions about saying arrow
How do you pronounce arrow?
Say AR-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˈæroʊ/. In British English it is /ˈærəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in arrow?
Arrow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR). Broken into parts: AR · oh.
Is arrow pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈærəʊ/ (AR-oh).