How to pronounce furbelow
Say it like FER-bih-loh. Furbelow has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce furbelow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FER
- bih
- loh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Furbelow pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- lohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of furbelow
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: FUH-bih-loh.
What does furbelow mean?
- A frill, flounce, or ruffle, as on clothing; a decorative piece of fabric, especially one gathered or pleated as into a ruffle, etc.
- A small, showy ornamentation.
- To adorn with a furbelow; to ornament.
Where does furbelow come from?
Corruption of falbala; first attested in the late 1600s or early 1700s.
Questions about saying furbelow
How do you pronounce furbelow?
Say FER-bih-loh. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɚbɪloʊ/. In British English it is /ˈfəbɪləʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in furbelow?
Furbelow has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FER). Broken into parts: FER · bih · loh.
Is furbelow 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 /ˈfəbɪləʊ/ (FUH-bih-loh).