How to pronounce haw
Say it like HAW. Haw is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce haw. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAW
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Haw pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of haw
American and British speakers say haw in essentially the same way: /hɔ/ in the US and /hɔː/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAW.
What does haw mean?
- An imitation of laughter, often used to express scorn or disbelief. Often doubled or tripled (haw haw or haw haw haw).“You think that song was good? Haw!”
- An intermission or hesitation of speech, with a sound somewhat like "haw"; the sound so made.
- To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation.
- Fruit of the hawthorn.
Where does haw come from?
From Middle English ha (interjection).
Words that rhyme with haw
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of haw.
Questions about saying haw
How do you pronounce haw?
Say HAW. The American pronunciation is /hɔ/. In British English it is /hɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in haw?
Haw is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: HAW.
Do Americans and Brits say haw the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /hɔ/ and the British form is /hɔː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.