How to pronounce demur
Say it like dih-MUR. Demur has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce demur. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- MUR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Demur pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- MURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of demur
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-MUR.
What does demur mean?
- Chiefly followed by to, and sometimes by at or on: to object or be reluctant; to balk, to take exception.“I demur to that statement.”
- To submit a demurrer (“motion by a party to a legal action for the immediate or summary judgment of the court on the question of whether, assuming the truth of the matter alleged by the opposite party, it is sufficient in law to sustain the action or defense, and hence whether the party bringing the
- To object or take exception to (something).
- An act of objecting or taking exception; a scruple; also, an exception taken or objection to something.
Where does demur come from?
From Middle English demuren (“to delay; to linger; to remain (in office); to keep, retain (?)”), from Anglo-Norman demorer and Old French demorer, demourer (“to remain, stay”) (modern French demeurer), from Vulgar Latin dēmorāre, from Latin
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with demur
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of demur.
Questions about saying demur
How do you pronounce demur?
Say dih-MUR. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈmɝ/. In British English it is /dɪˈmɜː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in demur?
Demur has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MUR). Broken into parts: dih · MUR.
Is demur 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 /dɪˈmɜː/ (dih-MUR).