How to pronounce dirty
Say it like DUR-tee. Dirty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DUR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dirty. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈdɝti/DUR-tee
UK British/ˈdɜːti/DUR-tee
- DUR
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dirty pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of dirty
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: DUR-tee.
What does dirty mean?
adjective
- soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime“dirty unswept sidewalks”“a child in dirty overalls”
- (of behavior or especially language) characterized by obscenity or indecency“dirty words”“a dirty old man”
- vile; despicable“a dirty (or lousy) trick”“a filthy traitor”
- make soiled, filthy, or dirty“don't soil your clothes when you play outside!”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying dirty
How do you pronounce dirty?
Say DUR-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɝti/. In British English it is /ˈdɜːti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dirty?
Dirty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DUR). Broken into parts: DUR · tee.
Is dirty 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 /ˈdɜːti/ (DUR-tee).