How to pronounce dowry
Say it like DOW-ree. Dowry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dowry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOW
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dowry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of dowry
American and British speakers say dowry in essentially the same way: /ˈdaʊri/ in the US and /ˈdaʊri/ in the UK.
British respelling: DOW-ree.
What does dowry mean?
- Payment, such as property or money, paid by the bride's family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage.
- Payment by the groom or his family to the bride's family.
- A natural gift or talent.
- To bestow a dowry upon.
Where does dowry come from?
From Middle English dowarye, dowerie, from Anglo-Norman dowarie, douarie, from Old French douaire, from Medieval Latin dōtārium, from Latin dōs.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dowry
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dowry.
Questions about saying dowry
How do you pronounce dowry?
Say DOW-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊri/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dowry?
Dowry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOW). Broken into parts: DOW · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say dowry the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdaʊri/ and the British form is /ˈdaʊri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.