How to pronounce harbour
Say it like HAR-ber. Harbour has two 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 harbour. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAR
- ber
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Harbour 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.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of harbour
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAH-buh.
What does harbour mean?
- a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
- a place of refuge and comfort and security
- secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
- keep in one's possession; of animals
- hold back a thought or feeling about“She is harboring a grudge against him”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with harbour
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of harbour.
Words that sound like harbour
Questions about saying harbour
How do you pronounce harbour?
Say HAR-ber. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrbɚ/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in harbour?
Harbour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAR). Broken into parts: HAR · ber.
Is harbour 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 /ˈhɑːbə/ (HAH-buh).
What words sound the same as harbour?
Harbour sounds the same as harbor in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.