How to pronounce backfires
Say it like BAK-fy-erz. Backfires has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce backfires. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAK
- fy
- erz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Backfires pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of backfires
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAK-fy-uz.
What does backfires mean?
- plural of backfire How to pronounce backfire
- third-person singular simple present indicative of backfire How to pronounce backfire
Questions about saying backfires
How do you pronounce backfires?
Say BAK-fy-erz. The American pronunciation is /ˈbækˌfaɪɚz/. In British English it is /ˈbækˌfaɪəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in backfires?
Backfires has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK). Broken into parts: BAK · fy · erz.
Is backfires 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 /ˈbækˌfaɪəz/ (BAK-fy-uz).