How to pronounce fairy
Say it like FER-ee. Fairy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fairy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FER
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fairy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of fairy
American and British speakers say fairy in essentially the same way: /ˈfɛri/ in the US and /ˈfɛəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: FAIR-ree.
What does fairy mean?
- a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
Where does fairy come from?
From Middle English faierie, fairie, from Old French faerie, from fae (from Latin fāta (“goddess of fate”)) + -erie.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fairy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fairy.
Words that sound like fairy
Questions about saying fairy
How do you pronounce fairy?
Say FER-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɛri/. In British English it is /ˈfɛəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fairy?
Fairy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FER). Broken into parts: FER · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say fairy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfɛri/ and the British form is /ˈfɛəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as fairy?
Fairy sounds the same as ferry in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.