How to pronounce herpes
Say it like HUR-peez. Herpes has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce herpes. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈhɝpiz/HUR-peez
UK British/ˈhɜːpiz/HUR-peez
- HUR
- peez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Herpes pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- peezKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of herpes
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HUR-peez.
What does herpes mean?
noun
- viral diseases causing eruptions of the skin or mucous membrane
- any of the animal viruses that cause painful blisters on the skin
Questions about saying herpes
How do you pronounce herpes?
Say HUR-peez. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɝpiz/. In British English it is /ˈhɜːpiz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in herpes?
Herpes has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR). Broken into parts: HUR · peez.
Is herpes 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 /ˈhɜːpiz/ (HUR-peez).