How to pronounce curlew
Say it like KUR-loo. Curlew 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 curlew. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUR
- loo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Curlew 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.
- looKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of curlew
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KUR-lyoo.
What does curlew mean?
- Any of several migratory wading birds in the genus Numenius, remarkable for their long, slender, downcurved bills.
- A stone curlew (Burhinidae spp.).
Where does curlew come from?
From Middle English curlew, from Old French courlieu (see French courlis), claimed to be imitative of the bird's cry but apparently assimilated with dialectal *corliu (“runner, messenger”), a variant of coureur (the bird is adept at running).
Questions about saying curlew
How do you pronounce curlew?
Say KUR-loo. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɝlu/. In British English it is /ˈkɜːlju/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in curlew?
Curlew has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUR). Broken into parts: KUR · loo.
Is curlew 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 /ˈkɜːlju/ (KUR-lyoo).