How to pronounce colour
Say it like KUHL-er. Colour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce colour. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUHL
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Colour pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of colour
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KUHL-uh.
What does colour mean?
- having or capable of producing colors“color film”“he rented a color television”
- any material used for its color“she used a different color for the trim”
- (physics) the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction“each flavor of quarks comes in three colors”
- interest and variety and intensity“the Puritan Period was lacking in color”“the characters were delineated with exceptional vividness”
- modify or bias“His political ideas color his lectures”
- decorate with colors“color the walls with paint in warm tones”
- give a deceptive explanation or excuse for“color a lie”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with colour
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of colour.
Words that sound like colour
Questions about saying colour
How do you pronounce colour?
Say KUHL-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈkʌlɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkʌlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in colour?
Colour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHL). Broken into parts: KUHL · er.
Is colour 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 /ˈkʌlə/ (KUHL-uh).
What words sound the same as colour?
Colour sounds the same as color in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.