How to pronounce forties
Say it like FOR-teez. Forties has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forties. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈfɔrtiz/FOR-teez
UK British/ˈfɔːtiz/FAW-teez
- FOR
- teez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forties pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- teezKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of forties
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAW-teez.
What does forties mean?
noun
- plural of forty How to pronounce forty
- The fifth decade of a century: the 1840s, 1940s, 2040s, etc.“My ma was born in the forties and my pa was born in the seventies.”
- The decade of one's life from age 40 through age 49.“They're both in their forties.”
- The range between 40 and 49.“What to wear when the weather is in the forties really depends on whether you're talking Fahrenheit or Celsius.”
- From or evoking the 41st through 50th years of a century (chiefly the 1940s).“Two forties aircraft sat forgotten in the hangar until they were rediscovered by two trespassing teens.”
Questions about saying forties
How do you pronounce forties?
Say FOR-teez. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɔrtiz/. In British English it is /ˈfɔːtiz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forties?
Forties has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR). Broken into parts: FOR · teez.
Is forties 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 /ˈfɔːtiz/ (FAW-teez).