How to pronounce barney
Say it like BAR-nee. Barney 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 barney. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- nee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barney 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.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of barney
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAH-nee.
What does barney mean?
- A noisy argument.
- A minor physical fight.
- Synonym of blimp (“soundproof cover for a video camera”).
- To argue, to quarrel.
Where does barney come from?
Etymology unknown. Often incorrectly thought to be Cockney rhyming slang from Barney Rubble (“trouble”, from the character Barney Rubble on The Flintstones), it actually dates back to the 19th century and its origin is unknown.
Words that rhyme with barney
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of barney.
Questions about saying barney
How do you pronounce barney?
Say BAR-nee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑrni/. In British English it is /ˈbɑːni/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barney?
Barney has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · nee.
Is barney 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 /ˈbɑːni/ (BAH-nee).