How to pronounce barbie
Say it like BAR-bee. Barbie has two 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 barbie. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- bee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barbie 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.
- beeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of barbie
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAH-bee.
What does barbie mean?
- A barbecue (apparatus for grilling).
- A barbecue (event: cookout).
- A barbiturate.
Where does barbie come from?
Clipping of barbecue + -ie (diminutive suffix).
Questions about saying barbie
How do you pronounce barbie?
Say BAR-bee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑrbi/. In British English it is /ˈbɑːbi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barbie?
Barbie has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · bee.
Is barbie 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 /ˈbɑːbi/ (BAH-bee).