How to pronounce fear
Say it like FEER. Fear is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
US American/fɪr/FEER
UK British/fɪə/FEER
- FEER
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fear pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of fear
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FEER.
What does fear mean?
verb
- be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event“I fear she might get aggressive”
- be afraid or scared of; be frightened of“I fear the winters in Moscow”“We should not fear the Communists!”
- be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement“I fear I won't make it to your wedding party”
- an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
- an anxious feeling“care had aged him”“they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction”
- a feeling of profound respect for someone or something“the fear of God”“the Chinese reverence for the dead”
Where does fear come from?
The verb is from Middle English feren, from Old English fǣran (“to frighten, raven”), from the noun.
Words that rhyme with fear
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fear.
Questions about saying fear
How do you pronounce fear?
Say FEER. The American pronunciation is /fɪr/. In British English it is /fɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fear?
Fear is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FEER.
Is fear 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 /fɪə/ (FEER).