How to pronounce fireworks
Say it like FIRE-wurks. Fireworks 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 fireworks. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FIRE
- wurks
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fireworks 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.
- wurksGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of fireworks
- American English uses 2 syllables and British English 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FY-uh-wurks.
What does fireworks mean?
- plural of firework. How to pronounce firework
- An event or a display where fireworks are set off.
- A boisterous or violent event or situation.“I left the room after John came home drunk but before the fireworks went off.”
Where does fireworks come from?
From fire + work(s). The similarity with Dutch vuurwerk and German Feuerwerk, both “fireworks”, is hardly coincidental.
Questions about saying fireworks
How do you pronounce fireworks?
Say FIRE-wurks. The American pronunciation is /ˈfaɪrˌwɝks/. In British English it is /ˈfaɪəwɜːks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fireworks?
Fireworks has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FIRE). Broken into parts: FIRE · wurks.
Is fireworks pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 2 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ˈfaɪəwɜːks/ (FY-uh-wurks).