How to pronounce earthworm
Say it like UR-thwurm. Earthworm has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce earthworm. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UR
- thwurm
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Earthworm pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- URSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- thwurmGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of earthworm
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UR-thwurm.
What does earthworm mean?
- A worm that lives in the ground.
- A worm of the family Lumbricidae, or, more generally, of the suborder Lumbricina.
- A contemptible person; a groveller.
Where does earthworm come from?
From Middle English erthe-worm, erþe-worm, erþe worm (also as worm of þe erthe, worm of þe erþe), equivalent to earth + worm.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- nightcrawler
- crawler
Questions about saying earthworm
How do you pronounce earthworm?
Say UR-thwurm. The American pronunciation is /ˈɝˌθwɝm/. In British English it is /ˈɜːˌθwɜːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in earthworm?
Earthworm has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UR). Broken into parts: UR · thwurm.
Is earthworm 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 /ˈɜːˌθwɜːm/ (UR-thwurm).