How to pronounce berserk
Say it like ber-SURK. Berserk has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SURK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce berserk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ber
- SURK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Berserk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- SURKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of berserk
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BUR-surk.
What does berserk mean?
- Furiously, injuriously, or maniacally violent or out of control.“After seeing his sister stabbed to death, he went berserk and attacked the killer like a wild animal.”
- Bizarre; weird.
- To be or become berserk.
- To make berserk.
Words that rhyme with berserk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of berserk.
Questions about saying berserk
How do you pronounce berserk?
Say ber-SURK. The American pronunciation is /bɚˈsɝk/. In British English it is /ˈbɜːsɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in berserk?
Berserk has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SURK). Broken into parts: ber · SURK.
Is berserk pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈbɜːsɜːk/ (BUR-surk).