How to pronounce firewall
Say it like FIRE-wahl. Firewall has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FIRE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce firewall. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FIRE
- wahl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Firewall pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FIRESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- wahlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of firewall
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FY-wawl.
What does firewall mean?
- A fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread of fire between or through buildings, structures, electrical substation transformers, or within an aircraft or vehicle.
- The software that monitors traffic in and out of a private network or a personal computer and allows or blocks such traffic depending on its perceived threat.
- A hypothetical phenomenon where an observer falling into a black hole encounters high-energy quanta at or near the event horizon.
- To protect with a firewall.
- To block with a firewall.
- To use maximum engine power or acceleration.
Where does firewall come from?
From fire + wall. Compare West Frisian brânmuorre, Dutch brandmuur, German Brandmauer, Feuermauer, Swedish brandvägg, brandmur, Icelandic eldvegg.
Questions about saying firewall
How do you pronounce firewall?
Say FIRE-wahl. The American pronunciation is /ˈfaɪrwɑl/. In British English it is /ˈfaɪˌwɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in firewall?
Firewall has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FIRE). Broken into parts: FIRE · wahl.
Is firewall 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 /ˈfaɪˌwɔːl/ (FY-wawl).