How to pronounce avoirdupois
Say it like av-er-duh-POYZ. Avoirdupois has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (POYZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce avoirdupois. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- av
- er
- duh
- POYZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Avoirdupois pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- avGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POYZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of avoirdupois
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: av-uh-duh-POYZ.
What does avoirdupois mean?
- Weight; heaviness.
Where does avoirdupois come from?
From Middle English avoir de pois, aver de peis, haburdy poyse, haburdepays, haburdepeyse, from Old French aveir + de + peis (“asset of weight”), influenced by Middle French avoir + du + pois; compare French poids (“weight”).
Words that rhyme with avoirdupois
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of avoirdupois.
Questions about saying avoirdupois
How do you pronounce avoirdupois?
Say av-er-duh-POYZ. The American pronunciation is /ˌævɚdəˈpɔɪz/. In British English it is /ˌævədəˈpɔɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in avoirdupois?
Avoirdupois has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (POYZ). Broken into parts: av · er · duh · POYZ.
Is avoirdupois 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 /ˌævədəˈpɔɪz/ (av-uh-duh-POYZ).