How to pronounce carrier
Say it like KAR-ee-er. Carrier has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce carrier. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAR
- ee
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carrier pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of carrier
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAR-ee-uh.
Other ways to say carrier
Carrier also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KER-ee-er /ˈkɛriɚ/
What does carrier mean?
- someone whose employment involves carrying something“the bonds were transmitted by carrier”
- a self-propelled wheeled vehicle designed specifically to carry something“refrigerated carriers have revolutionized the grocery business”
- a large warship that carries planes and has a long flat deck for takeoffs and landings
Where does carrier come from?
From Middle English cariere, partly from carien + -ere, after Anglo-Norman carier, cariour, and partly directly from Anglo-Norman.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with carrier
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of carrier.
Questions about saying carrier
How do you pronounce carrier?
Say KAR-ee-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈkæriɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkæriə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carrier?
Carrier has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR). Broken into parts: KAR · ee · er.
Is carrier 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 /ˈkæriə/ (KAR-ee-uh).