How to pronounce harbinger
Say it like HAR-bin-jer. Harbinger has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce harbinger. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAR
- bin
- jer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Harbinger pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- binKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- jerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of harbinger
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAH-bin-juh.
What does harbinger mean?
- A person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.“harbinger of danger; harbinger of doom; harbinger of spring”
- To announce or precede; to be a harbinger of.
Where does harbinger come from?
Originally, a person sent in advance to arrange lodgings.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying harbinger
How do you pronounce harbinger?
Say HAR-bin-jer. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrbɪndʒər/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːbɪndʒə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in harbinger?
Harbinger has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAR). Broken into parts: HAR · bin · jer.
Is harbinger 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 /ˈhɑːbɪndʒə/ (HAH-bin-juh).