How to pronounce billionaire
Say it like bil-yuh-NAIR. Billionaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce billionaire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bil
- yuh
- NAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Billionaire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bilGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of billionaire
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: bil-ee-uh-NAIR.
What does billionaire mean?
- a very rich person whose material wealth is valued at more than a billion dollars
Where does billionaire come from?
From billion + -aire.
Words that rhyme with billionaire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of billionaire.
Questions about saying billionaire
How do you pronounce billionaire?
Say bil-yuh-NAIR. The American pronunciation is /ˌbɪljəˈnɛr/. In British English it is /ˌbɪliəˈnɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in billionaire?
Billionaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAIR). Broken into parts: bil · yuh · NAIR.
Is billionaire pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4. The British form is /ˌbɪliəˈnɛə/ (bil-ee-uh-NAIR).