How to pronounce construe
Say it like kun-STROO. Construe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STROO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce construe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- STROO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Construe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of construe
American and British speakers say construe in essentially the same way: /kənˈstru/ in the US and /kənˈstruː/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-STROO.
What does construe mean?
- A translation.
- An interpretation.
- To understand (something) as meaning, to take to mean.
- To interpret (something) to another or publicly, explain the meaning of (something, usually language).
- To analyze the grammatical structure of a clause or sentence; to parse.
Where does construe come from?
From Middle English construen, from Late Latin construo, construere (“to relate grammatically”), from Latin construo (“pile together”); doublet of construct.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with construe
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of construe.
Questions about saying construe
How do you pronounce construe?
Say kun-STROO. The American pronunciation is /kənˈstru/. In British English it is /kənˈstruː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in construe?
Construe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STROO). Broken into parts: kun · STROO.
Do Americans and Brits say construe the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈstru/ and the British form is /kənˈstruː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.