How to pronounce curfew
Say it like KUR-fyoo. Curfew has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce curfew. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUR
- fyoo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Curfew pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- fyooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of curfew
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KUR-fyoo.
What does curfew mean?
- Any regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.“The city has been reported calm after a curfew was imposed.”
- A regulation requiring loud or disruptive activities such as concerts and sporting events to end by a certain time.
- The time when such restriction begins.
Where does curfew come from?
From Middle English curfu, from Old French cuevre-fu (French couvre-feu), from the imperative of covrir (“to cover”) + fu (“fire”).
Questions about saying curfew
How do you pronounce curfew?
Say KUR-fyoo. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɝfju/. In British English it is /ˈkɜːfjuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in curfew?
Curfew has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUR). Broken into parts: KUR · fyoo.
Is curfew 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 /ˈkɜːfjuː/ (KUR-fyoo).