How to pronounce cliffhanger
Say it like KLIF-hang-er. Cliffhanger has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLIF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cliffhanger. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLIF
- hang
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cliffhanger pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLIFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- hangGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cliffhanger
- 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: klif-HANG-uh.
What does cliffhanger mean?
- An ending or stopping point calculated to leave a story unresolved, in order to create suspense.
- An outcome which is awaited with keen anticipation, especially one which is delayed for a period of time or which is not known until the last minute.
Where does cliffhanger come from?
From cliff + hanger, evoking the image of someone left hanging from a cliff, thereby having an uncertain fate.
Questions about saying cliffhanger
How do you pronounce cliffhanger?
Say KLIF-hang-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈklɪfˌhæŋɚ/. In British English it is /ˌklɪfˈhæŋə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cliffhanger?
Cliffhanger has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLIF). Broken into parts: KLIF · hang · er.
Is cliffhanger pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /ˌklɪfˈhæŋə/ (klif-HANG-uh).