How to pronounce barrier
Say it like BAR-ee-er. Barrier 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 barrier. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- ee
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barrier 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 "a" in cat.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of barrier
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAR-ee-uh.
Other ways to say barrier
Barrier also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- BER-ee-er /ˈbɛriɚ/
What does barrier mean?
- a structure or object that impedes free movement
- any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective“intolerance is a barrier to understanding”
- anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access
Where does barrier come from?
From Middle English barrer, barrere, barryȝer, from Anglo-Norman barrere (compare French barrière), from barre (“bar”).
Words that rhyme with barrier
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of barrier.
Questions about saying barrier
How do you pronounce barrier?
Say BAR-ee-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈbæriɚ/. In British English it is /ˈbæriə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barrier?
Barrier has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · ee · er.
Is barrier 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 /ˈbæriə/ (BAR-ee-uh).