How to pronounce burr
Say it like BUR. Burr is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce burr. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Burr pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of burr
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BUR.
What does burr mean?
- A sharp, pointy object, such as a sliver or splinter.
- Alternative form of bur (“rough, prickly husk around the seeds or fruit of some plants”).
- A small piece of material left on an edge after a cutting operation.“You left a bunch of burrs on those parts yesterday. You've already been told not to miss the deburring operation.”
- A rough humming sound.
- A uvular "r" sound, or (by extension) an accent characterized by this sound.
- To grind using a burr (revolving disk or cone with abrasive surfaces).
Where does burr come from?
From Middle English burre, perhaps related to Old English byrst (“bristle”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with burr
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of burr.
Words that sound like burr
Questions about saying burr
How do you pronounce burr?
Say BUR. The American pronunciation is /bɝ/. In British English it is /bɜː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in burr?
Burr is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: BUR.
Is burr 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 /bɜː/ (BUR).
What words sound the same as burr?
Burr sounds the same as bur in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.