How to pronounce hardscrabble
Say it like HARD-skrab-ul. Hardscrabble has three 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 hardscrabble. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HARD
- skrab
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hardscrabble 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.
- skrabGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hardscrabble
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: HAHD-skrab-ul.
What does hardscrabble mean?
- Requiring much work to farm, and ultimately not very productive.“his hardscrabble peanut farm”
- Involving hard work and struggle.“He leads a hardscrabble existence.”
Where does hardscrabble come from?
From hard + scrabble.
Questions about saying hardscrabble
How do you pronounce hardscrabble?
Say HARD-skrab-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrdˌskræbəl/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːdˌskræbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hardscrabble?
Hardscrabble has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HARD). Broken into parts: HARD · skrab · ul.
Is hardscrabble 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 /ˈhɑːdˌskræbəl/ (HAHD-skrab-ul).