How to pronounce barbershop
Say it like BAR-ber-shop. Barbershop 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 barbershop. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- ber
- shop
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barbershop 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.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- shopGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of barbershop
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BAH-buh-shop.
What does barbershop mean?
- The place of business of a barber; a store where a person (usually a male) can go to get a haircut.
- A style of a cappella vocal music, usually sung in four-part harmony.
- To perform in the barbershop musical style.
Where does barbershop come from?
Compound of barber + shop.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying barbershop
How do you pronounce barbershop?
Say BAR-ber-shop. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑrbɚˌʃɑp/. In British English it is /ˈbɑːbəˌʃɒp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barbershop?
Barbershop has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · ber · shop.
Is barbershop 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 /ˈbɑːbəˌʃɒp/ (BAH-buh-shop).