How to pronounce firmware
Say it like FURM-wair. Firmware has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FURM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce firmware. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FURM
- wair
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Firmware pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FURMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- wairGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of firmware
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FURM-wair.
What does firmware mean?
- A permanent form of software that provides a low-level control of computing device hardware.
- Software that is intended for such embedded computer applications.
Where does firmware come from?
From firm + -ware. Coined in an article in 1967 as an intermediary term between hardware and software.
Questions about saying firmware
How do you pronounce firmware?
Say FURM-wair. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɝmˌwɛr/. In British English it is /ˈfɜːmˌwɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in firmware?
Firmware has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FURM). Broken into parts: FURM · wair.
Is firmware 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 /ˈfɜːmˌwɛə/ (FURM-wair).