How to pronounce err
Say it like AIR. Err is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- AIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Err pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of err
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UR.
Other ways to say err
Err also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- UR /ɝ/
What does err mean?
- To make a mistake.“He erred in his calculations, and made many mistakes.”
- To sin.“To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
- Elongated form of er (“sound of hesitation”).“Err... what did you just say?”
Where does err come from?
From Middle English erren, from Old French errer (“to wander, err, mistake”), from Latin errō (“wander, stray, err, mistake”, verb), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ers- (“to be angry, lose one's temper”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with err
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of err.
Words that sound like err
Questions about saying err
How do you pronounce err?
Say AIR. The American pronunciation is /ɛr/. In British English it is /ɜː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in err?
Err is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: AIR.
Is err 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 /ɜː/ (UR).
What words sound the same as err?
Err sounds the same as air, ere, Eyre, heir, aer in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.