How to pronounce bachelor
Say it like BACH-uh-ler. Bachelor has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BACH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bachelor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BACH
- uh
- ler
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bachelor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BACHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of bachelor
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BACH-uh-luh.
What does bachelor mean?
- a man who has never been married
- a knight of the lowest order; could display only a pennon
- lead a bachelor's existence
Where does bachelor come from?
From Middle English bacheler, from Anglo-Norman and Old French bacheler (modern French bachelier), from Medieval Latin baccalārius, baccalāris (compare Tuscan baccalare (“squire”)).
Questions about saying bachelor
How do you pronounce bachelor?
Say BACH-uh-ler. The American pronunciation is /ˈbætʃəlɚ/. In British English it is /ˈbætʃələ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bachelor?
Bachelor has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BACH). Broken into parts: BACH · uh · ler.
Is bachelor 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 /ˈbætʃələ/ (BACH-uh-luh).