How to pronounce hardware
Say it like HAR-dwair. Hardware 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 hardware. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAR
- dwair
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hardware 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.
- dwairGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of hardware
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAH-dwair.
What does hardware mean?
- major items of military weaponry (as tanks or missile)
- instrumentalities (tools or implements) made of metal
- (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system
Where does hardware come from?
From Middle English hardware; equivalent to hard + -ware; attested since the mid-15th century.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying hardware
How do you pronounce hardware?
Say HAR-dwair. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrˌdwɛr/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːˌdwɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hardware?
Hardware has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAR). Broken into parts: HAR · dwair.
Is hardware 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 /ˈhɑːˌdwɛə/ (HAH-dwair).