How to pronounce concrete
Say it like KON-kreet. Concrete has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce concrete. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KON
- kreet
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Concrete pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kreetKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of concrete
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KONG-kreet.
Other ways to say concrete
Concrete also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- kun-KREET /kənˈkrit/
What does concrete mean?
- a strong hard building material composed of sand and gravel and cement and water
- capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary“concrete objects such as trees”
- formed by the coalescence of particles
- cover with cement“concrete the walls”
- form into a solid mass; coalesce
Where does concrete come from?
Borrowed from Latin concrētus, past participle of concrescō (to curdle) from con- (with, together) + crescō (to grow, rise).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying concrete
How do you pronounce concrete?
Say KON-kreet. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑnkrit/. In British English it is /ˈkɒŋkriːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in concrete?
Concrete has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON). Broken into parts: KON · kreet.
Is concrete pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒŋkriːt/ (KONG-kreet).