How to pronounce chauffeur
Say it like SHOH-fer. Chauffeur has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce chauffeur. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHOH
- fer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Starts with 'sh'. Americans stress the end ('shoh-FUR'), Britons often the start ('SHOH-fuh').
Chauffeur pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of chauffeur
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: sho-FUR.
Other ways to say chauffeur
Chauffeur also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- shoh-FUR /ʃoʊˈfɝ/
What does chauffeur mean?
- A person employed to drive a private motor car or a hired car of executive or luxury class (like a limousine).
- The driver of a fire truck.
- To be, or act as, a chauffeur (driver of a motor car).
- To transport (someone) in a motor vehicle.
Where does chauffeur come from?
Borrowed from French chauffeur.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with chauffeur
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of chauffeur.
Questions about saying chauffeur
How do you pronounce chauffeur?
Say SHOH-fer. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃoʊfɚ/. In British English it is /ʃɒˈfɜː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in chauffeur?
Chauffeur has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOH). Broken into parts: SHOH · fer.
Is chauffeur pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /ʃɒˈfɜː/ (sho-FUR).