How to pronounce heretofore
Say it like HEER-tuh-for. Heretofore has three 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 heretofore. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEER
- tuh
- for
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heretofore 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 "i" in sit.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- forKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of heretofore
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: heer-tuh-FAW.
What does heretofore mean?
- Before now, until now, up to the present time; from the beginning to this point.“We now make available these works which were heretofore unpublished.”
- Previously within the present text; earlier herein.“heretofore referred to as”
Where does heretofore come from?
From Middle English heretoforn, equivalent to here (“here”) + toforn (“before”), from Old English tōforan (“before”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying heretofore
How do you pronounce heretofore?
Say HEER-tuh-for. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɪrtəfɔr/. In British English it is /ˌhɪətəˈfɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heretofore?
Heretofore has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEER). Broken into parts: HEER · tuh · for.
Is heretofore pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌhɪətəˈfɔː/ (heer-tuh-FAW).