How to pronounce cower
Say it like KOW-er. Cower has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cower. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOW
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cower pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cower
- American English uses 2 syllables and British English 1.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KOW.
What does cower mean?
- To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.“He'd be useless in war. He'd just cower in his bunker until the enemy came in and shot him, or until the war was over.”
- To cause to cower; to frighten into submission.
- To be a coward; to hide away or refuse to face opposition due to fear.
Where does cower come from?
Cognate with German kauern (“to squat”), Dutch koeren (“to keep watch (in a cowered position)”), Serbo-Croatian kutriti (“to lie in a bent position”), Swedish kura (“huddle, cower”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with cower
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cower.
Questions about saying cower
How do you pronounce cower?
Say KOW-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaʊɚ/. In British English it is /kaʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cower?
Cower has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOW). Broken into parts: KOW · er.
Is cower pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 2 syllables and British English 1. The British form is /kaʊ/ (KOW).