How to pronounce harness
Say it like HAR-nus. Harness 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 harness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAR
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Harness 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.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of harness
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAH-nis.
What does harness mean?
- a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
- stable gear consisting of an arrangement of leather straps fitted to a draft animal so that it can be attached to and pull a cart
- put a harness“harness the horse”
- exploit the power of“harness natural forces and resources”
- control and direct with or as if by reins“rein a horse”
Where does harness come from?
From Middle English harneys, harnes, harneis, harnais, herneis, from Anglo-Norman harneis and Old French hernois (“equipment used in battle”), believed to be from Old Norse *hernest, from herr (“army”) + nest (“provisions”) (from Proto-Germ
Questions about saying harness
How do you pronounce harness?
Say HAR-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrnəs/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːnɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in harness?
Harness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAR). Broken into parts: HAR · nus.
Is harness 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 /ˈhɑːnɪs/ (HAH-nis).