How to pronounce harebrained
Say it like HAIR-braynd. Harebrained has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce harebrained. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAIR
- braynd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Harebrained pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- brayndGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of harebrained
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAIR-braynd.
What does harebrained mean?
- Absurd, foolish or stupid.
- Frivolous and silly; featherbrained or scatterbrained; stupid.
Where does harebrained come from?
From hare + brained.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying harebrained
How do you pronounce harebrained?
Say HAIR-braynd. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛrˌbreɪnd/. In British English it is /ˈhɛəˌbreɪnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in harebrained?
Harebrained has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAIR). Broken into parts: HAIR · braynd.
Is harebrained 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 /ˈhɛəˌbreɪnd/ (HAIR-braynd).