How to pronounce blackbird
Say it like BLAK-berd. Blackbird has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BLAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce blackbird. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BLAK
- berd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Blackbird pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BLAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- berdGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of blackbird
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BLAK-bud.
What does blackbird mean?
- A common true thrush, Turdus merula, found in woods and gardens over much of Eurasia, and introduced elsewhere.
- A variety of New World birds of the family Icteridae (26 species of icterid bird).
- To enslave someone, especially through chicanery or force
Where does blackbird come from?
From Middle English blakebird, blacbrid (“ouzel; Eurasian blackbird”), equivalent to black + bird.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying blackbird
How do you pronounce blackbird?
Say BLAK-berd. The American pronunciation is /ˈblækˌbɚd/. In British English it is /ˈblækbəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in blackbird?
Blackbird has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BLAK). Broken into parts: BLAK · berd.
Is blackbird 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 /ˈblækbəd/ (BLAK-bud).