How to pronounce cardboard
Say it like KARD-bord. Cardboard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KARD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cardboard. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KARD
- bord
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cardboard pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KARDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- bordGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of cardboard
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAHD-bawd.
What does cardboard mean?
- a stiff moderately thick paper
- without substance“cardboard caricatures of historical figures”
Where does cardboard come from?
From card + board.
Questions about saying cardboard
How do you pronounce cardboard?
Say KARD-bord. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑrdˌbɔrd/. In British English it is /ˈkɑːdˌbɔːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cardboard?
Cardboard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KARD). Broken into parts: KARD · bord.
Is cardboard 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 /ˈkɑːdˌbɔːd/ (KAHD-bawd).