How to pronounce hardball
Say it like HARD-bawl. Hardball has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HARD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hardball. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HARD
- bawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hardball pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HARDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- bawlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of hardball
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAHD-bawl.
What does hardball mean?
- In baseball, a type of ball and baseball game, as opposed to softball.
- Tough or ruthless behavior, especially in combat, politics or business.
- Being or exhibiting tough or ruthless behavior, especially in combat, politics or business.
- To exhibit tough and ruthless behavior towards another individual.
Where does hardball come from?
From hard + ball.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying hardball
How do you pronounce hardball?
Say HARD-bawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrdˌbɔl/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːdˌbɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hardball?
Hardball has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HARD). Broken into parts: HARD · bawl.
Is hardball 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 /ˈhɑːdˌbɔːl/ (HAHD-bawl).