How to pronounce hair
Say it like HAIR. Hair is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- HAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hair pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of hair
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAIR.
What does hair mean?
- A pigmented filament of keratin which grows from a follicle on the skin of humans and other mammals.
- The collection or mass of such growths growing from the skin of humans and animals, and forming a covering for any part or the whole body.
- Specifically, the collection of hairs on the top and sides of the human head, growing from the scalp.“In the western world, women usually have long hair while men usually have short hair.”
- To remove the hair from.
- To grow hair (where there was a bald spot).
- To cause to have or bear hair; to provide with hair
Where does hair come from?
The modern spelling with ai is not a regular representation of the vowel developed from Middle English.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with hair
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hair.
Words that sound like hair
Questions about saying hair
How do you pronounce hair?
Say HAIR. The American pronunciation is /hɛr/. In British English it is /hɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hair?
Hair is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: HAIR.
Is hair 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 /hɛə/ (HAIR).
What words sound the same as hair?
Hair sounds the same as hare, Herr in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.