How to pronounce crossword
Say it like KRAW-swurd. Crossword has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce crossword. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KRAW
- swurd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Crossword pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KRAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- swurdGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of crossword
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KROS-wurd.
What does crossword mean?
- A word puzzle in which interlocking words are entered usually horizontally and vertically into a grid based on clues given for each word.
- The grid of such a puzzle.
Where does crossword come from?
From cross + word. Various word puzzles referred to as "crosswords" date back to the 1860s.
Questions about saying crossword
How do you pronounce crossword?
Say KRAW-swurd. The American pronunciation is /ˈkrɔˌswɝd/. In British English it is /ˈkrɒˌswɜːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in crossword?
Crossword has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRAW). Broken into parts: KRAW · swurd.
Is crossword 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 /ˈkrɒˌswɜːd/ (KROS-wurd).