How to pronounce aspire
Say it like uh-SPIRE. Aspire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPIRE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aspire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- SPIRE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aspire 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.
- SPIRESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of aspire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uh-SPY.
What does aspire mean?
- To have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something.“to aspire to / for / after / to do something; to aspire that something happens”
Where does aspire come from?
From Middle English aspiren, from Old French aspirer, from Latin aspīrō (“breathe on; approach; desire”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with aspire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of aspire.
Questions about saying aspire
How do you pronounce aspire?
Say uh-SPIRE. The American pronunciation is /əˈspaɪr/. In British English it is /əˈspaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aspire?
Aspire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPIRE). Broken into parts: uh · SPIRE.
Is aspire 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 /əˈspaɪ/ (uh-SPY).