How to pronounce hairshirt
Say it like HAIR-shurt. Hairshirt has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hairshirt. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAIR
- shurt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hairshirt 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.
- shurtKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of hairshirt
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAIR-shurt.
What does hairshirt mean?
- A shirt made of haircloth; especially one worn by ascetics or the penitent.
- A state of penitence and humility.
- Advocating or adopting a relatively ascetic lifestyle, especially for environmentalist reasons.
Where does hairshirt come from?
From hair + shirt.
Questions about saying hairshirt
How do you pronounce hairshirt?
Say HAIR-shurt. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛrʃɝt/. In British English it is /ˈhɛəʃɜːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hairshirt?
Hairshirt has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAIR). Broken into parts: HAIR · shurt.
Is hairshirt 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 /ˈhɛəʃɜːt/ (HAIR-shurt).