How to pronounce bass
Say it like BAYS. Bass is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- BAYS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The low sound or instrument rhymes with face. The fish rhymes with mass.
Bass pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAYSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of bass
American and British speakers say bass in essentially the same way: /beɪs/ in the US and /beɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAYS.
Other ways to say bass
Bass also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- BAS /bæs/
What does bass mean?
- Of sound, a voice or an instrument, low in pitch or frequency.“The giant spoke in a deep, bass, rumbling voice that shook me to my boots.”
- A low spectrum of sound tones.“Peter adjusted the equalizer on his audio equipment to emphasize the bass.”
- A section of a musical group that produces low-pitched sound, lower than the baritone and tenor.“The conductor preferred to situate the bass in the middle rear, rather than to one side of the orchestra.”
- One who sings in the bass range.“Halfway through middle school, Edgar morphed from a soprano to a bass, much to the amazement and amusement of his fellow choristers.”
- To sound in a deep tone.
Where does bass come from?
A respelling of base under the influence of Italian basso (“low”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with bass
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bass.
Words that sound like bass
Questions about saying bass
How do you pronounce bass?
Say BAYS. The American pronunciation is /beɪs/. In British English it is /beɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bass?
Bass is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: BAYS.
Do Americans and Brits say bass the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /beɪs/ and the British form is /beɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as bass?
Bass sounds the same as base in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.