How to pronounce circus
Say it like SUR-kus. Circus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce circus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈsɝkəs/SUR-kus
UK British/ˈsɜːkəs/SUR-kus
- SUR
- kus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of circus
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-kus.
What does circus mean?
noun
- a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals“he ran away from home to join the circus”
- a performance given by a traveling company of acrobats, clowns, and trained animals“the children always love to go to the circus”
- a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment“it was so funny it was a circus”“the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere”
Questions about saying circus
How do you pronounce circus?
Say SUR-kus. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝkəs/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːkəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circus?
Circus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · kus.
Is circus 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 /ˈsɜːkəs/ (SUR-kus).