How to pronounce chirp
Say it like CHERP. Chirp 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 chirp. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- CHERP
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Chirp pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- CHERPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of chirp
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: CHURP.
What does chirp mean?
- To make a short, sharp, cheerful note, as of small birds or crickets; to chitter; to twitter.
- To speak in a high-pitched staccato.
- To modify (a pulse of signal) so that it sweeps through a band of frequencies throughout its duration.
- A short, sharp or high note or noise, as of a bird or insect.
- A pulse of signal whose frequency sweeps through a band of frequencies for the duration of the pulse; the quality of having a such a variation in frequency.
Where does chirp come from?
From Middle English *chirpen (attested only in the derivative Middle English chirpinge, cyrpynge, chyrypynge (“chirping”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying chirp
How do you pronounce chirp?
Say CHERP. The American pronunciation is /tʃɚp/. In British English it is /tʃɜːp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in chirp?
Chirp is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: CHERP.
Is chirp 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 /tʃɜːp/ (CHURP).