How to pronounce beggar
Say it like BEG-er. Beggar has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce beggar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEG
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Beggar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BEGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of beggar
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BEG-uh.
What does beggar mean?
- A person who begs.
- A person suffering from extreme poverty.
- A mean or wretched person; a scoundrel.“What does that silly beggar think he's doing?”
- To make a beggar of someone; impoverish.
- To exhaust the resources of; to outdo or go beyond.
Where does beggar come from?
Alternative etymology derives Middle English beggere, beggare, beggar from Old French begart, originally a member of the Beghards, a lay brotherhood of mendicants in the Low Countries, from Middle Dutch beggaert (“mendicant”), with pejorati
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with beggar
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of beggar.
Questions about saying beggar
How do you pronounce beggar?
Say BEG-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɛɡɚ/. In British English it is /ˈbɛɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in beggar?
Beggar has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEG). Broken into parts: BEG · er.
Is beggar 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 /ˈbɛɡə/ (BEG-uh).