How to pronounce belfry
Say it like BEL-free. Belfry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce belfry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEL
- free
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Belfry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- freeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of belfry
American and British speakers say belfry in essentially the same way: /ˈbɛlfri/ in the US and /ˈbɛlfri/ in the UK.
British respelling: BEL-free.
What does belfry mean?
- A tower or steeple typically containing bells, especially as part of a church.
- A part of a large tower or steeple, specifically for containing bells.
Where does belfry come from?
From Middle English belfry, bellfray, belfray, berfrey, barfray, from Old French belfroi, berfroi, berfrey, from Late Latin berfrēdus, from Frankish *bergafriþu, from Proto-Germanic *bergafriþuz, equivalent to barrow + frith.
Questions about saying belfry
How do you pronounce belfry?
Say BEL-free. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɛlfri/. In British English it is /ˈbɛlfri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in belfry?
Belfry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEL). Broken into parts: BEL · free.
Do Americans and Brits say belfry the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɛlfri/ and the British form is /ˈbɛlfri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.