How to pronounce dour
Say it like DOOR. Dour 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 dour. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOOR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dour pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of dour
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DOOR.
What does dour mean?
- Stern, harsh and forbidding.
- Unyielding and obstinate.
- Expressing gloom or melancholy.
- Alternative form of daur.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dour
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dour.
Questions about saying dour
How do you pronounce dour?
Say DOOR. The American pronunciation is /dʊr/. In British English it is /dʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dour?
Dour is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: DOOR.
Is dour 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 /dʊə/ (DOOR).