How to pronounce dern
Say it like DURN. Dern is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dern. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DURN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dern pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DURNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of dern
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DURN.
What does dern mean?
- A gatepost or doorpost.
Where does dern come from?
Uncertain. Maybe related to door.
Words that rhyme with dern
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dern.
Questions about saying dern
How do you pronounce dern?
Say DURN. The American pronunciation is /dɝn/. In British English it is /dɜːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dern?
Dern is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: DURN.
Is dern 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 /dɜːn/ (DURN).