How to pronounce forbear
Say it like for-BEH-er. Forbear has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forbear. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- for
- BEH
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forbear pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- forKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- BEHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of forbear
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: faw-BAIR.
What does forbear mean?
- To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
- To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
- To refuse; to decline; to withsay; to unheed.
- Alternative spelling of forebear.
Where does forbear come from?
From Middle English forberen, from Old English forberan (“to forbear, abstain from, refrain; suffer, endure, tolerate, humor; restrain; do without”), from Proto-Germanic *fraberaną (“to hold back, endure”); equivalent to for- + bear.
Words that rhyme with forbear
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of forbear.
Questions about saying forbear
How do you pronounce forbear?
Say for-BEH-er. The American pronunciation is /fɔrˈbɛɚ/. In British English it is /fɔːˈbɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forbear?
Forbear has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEH). Broken into parts: for · BEH · er.
Is forbear pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2. The British form is /fɔːˈbɛə/ (faw-BAIR).