How to pronounce aw
Say it like AW. Aw is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aw. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AW
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aw pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of aw
American and British speakers say aw in essentially the same way: /ɔ/ in the US and /ɔː/ in the UK.
British respelling: AW.
What does aw mean?
- Used to express disappointment or dismay.“Aw, that's too bad...”
- Used to express mild protest, entreaty, consternation, or disapproval.“Aw, dad, why can't we go to Legoland?”
- Used to express affection.“Aw, you've got such a cute baby bird!”
- An instance of aw.
Where does aw come from?
Natural exclamation.
Words that sound like aw
Questions about saying aw
How do you pronounce aw?
Say AW. The American pronunciation is /ɔ/. In British English it is /ɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aw?
Aw is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: AW.
Do Americans and Brits say aw the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɔ/ and the British form is /ɔː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as aw?
Aw sounds the same as awe in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.