How to pronounce hearsay
Say it like HEER-say. Hearsay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hearsay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEER
- say
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hearsay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- sayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of hearsay
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HEER-say.
What does hearsay mean?
- Information that was heard by one person about another that cannot be adequately substantiated.“based on hearsay”
- Evidence based on the reports of others, which is normally inadmissible because it was not made under oath, rather than on personal knowledge.“dismiss hearsay”
- An out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted (or the in-court testimony which recites such a statement), which is normally inadmissible (because it is not subject to cross-examination) unless it falls under one of a number of exceptions.
Where does hearsay come from?
From Middle English hyere-zigginge (1340), here sey (ca.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying hearsay
How do you pronounce hearsay?
Say HEER-say. The American pronunciation is /ˈhirˌseɪ/. In British English it is /ˈhɪəseɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hearsay?
Hearsay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEER). Broken into parts: HEER · say.
Is hearsay 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 /ˈhɪəseɪ/ (HEER-say).