How to pronounce barbarize
Say it like BAR-buh-ryze. Barbarize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce barbarize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- buh
- ryze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barbarize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ryzeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of barbarize
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAH-buh-ryze.
What does barbarize mean?
- To cause to become savage or uncultured.
- To become savage or uncultured.
- To adopt a foreign or barbarous mode of speech.
Questions about saying barbarize
How do you pronounce barbarize?
Say BAR-buh-ryze. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑrbəraɪz/. In British English it is /ˈbɑːbəraɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barbarize?
Barbarize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · buh · ryze.
Is barbarize 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 /ˈbɑːbəraɪz/ (BAH-buh-ryze).