How to pronounce contract
Say it like KAHN-trakt. Contract has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHN).
- KAHN
- trakt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Noun: 'KON-trakt'. Verb (to shrink or catch): 'kun-TRAKT'.
Contract pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- traktGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of contract
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KON-trakt.
Other ways to say contract
Contract also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- kun-TRAKT /kənˈtrækt/
What does contract mean?
- An agreement between two or more parties, to perform a specific job or work order, often temporary or of fixed duration and usually governed by a written agreement.“sign a contract”
- A period of work agreed to under a temporary contract.“He worked a six-month contract on an oil rig.”
- An agreement which the law will enforce in some way. A legally binding contract must contain at least one promise, i.e., a commitment or offer, by an offeror to and accepted by an offeree to do something in the future. A contract is thus executory rather than executed.
- To draw together or nearer; to shorten, narrow, or lessen.“The snail’s body contracted into its shell.”
- To shorten by omitting a letter or letters or by reducing two or more vowels or syllables to one.“The word “cannot” is often contracted into “can’t”.”
- To make an agreement or contract; to covenant.“The company contracted with the council to build 200 new houses.”
Where does contract come from?
From Middle English, from Old French contract, from Latin contractus (noun), from contrahere (“to bring together, to bring about, to conclude a bargain”) [from con- (“with, together”) + trahere (“to draw, to pull”)] + -tus (suffix forming nouns from verbs).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying contract
How do you pronounce contract?
Say KAHN-trakt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑnˌtrækt/. In British English it is /ˈkɒnˌtrækt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contract?
Contract has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHN). Broken into parts: KAHN · trakt.
Is contract 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 /ˈkɒnˌtrækt/ (KON-trakt).