How to pronounce because
Say it like bih-KAWZ. Because has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAWZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce because. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- KAWZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Because pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KAWZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of because
American and British speakers say because in essentially the same way: /bɪˈkɔz/ in the US and /bɪˈkɒz/ in the UK.
British respelling: bih-KOZ.
Other ways to say because
Because also has these pronunciations, usually with a different meaning or use:
- bih-KUHZ /bɪˈkʌz/
- bih-KAHZ /bɪˈkɑz/
What does because mean?
- By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that.“I hid myself because I was afraid.”
- As is known, inferred, or determined from the fact that.“It must be broken, because I pressed the button and nothing happened.”
- On account, for sake [with of].“My life is ruined because of you!”
- Used alone to refuse to provide a full answer to a question begun with "why", usually taken as an anapodoton of the elided full phrase "Because I said so".
Where does because come from?
From Middle English bi cause, from bi (“by”) + cause, modeled on Old French par cause.
Words that rhyme with because
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of because.
Questions about saying because
How do you pronounce because?
Say bih-KAWZ. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈkɔz/. In British English it is /bɪˈkɒz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in because?
Because has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAWZ). Broken into parts: bih · KAWZ.
Do Americans and Brits say because the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bɪˈkɔz/ and the British form is /bɪˈkɒz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.