How to pronounce bookworm
Say it like BUUK-wurm. Bookworm has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUUK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bookworm. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUUK
- wurm
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bookworm pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BUUKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- wurmGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of bookworm
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BUUK-wurm.
What does bookworm mean?
- Any of various insects that infest books.
- An avid book reader.
Where does bookworm come from?
From book + worm. Compare West Frisian boekewjirm (“bookworm”), Dutch boekworm, boekwurm, boekenwurm (“bookworm”), Low German Bökerworm (“bookworm”), German Bücherwurm (“bookworm”), Danish bogorm (“bookworm”), Norwegian bokorm (“bookworm”),
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with bookworm
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bookworm.
Questions about saying bookworm
How do you pronounce bookworm?
Say BUUK-wurm. The American pronunciation is /ˈbʊˌkwɝm/. In British English it is /ˈbʊˌkwɜːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bookworm?
Bookworm has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUUK). Broken into parts: BUUK · wurm.
Is bookworm 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 /ˈbʊˌkwɜːm/ (BUUK-wurm).