How to pronounce higher
Say it like HY-er. Higher has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HY).
- HY
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Higher pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of higher
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HY-uh.
What does higher mean?
- advanced in complexity or elaboration“higher finance”“higher mathematics”
- of education beyond the secondary level“higher education”“higher learning”
Words that rhyme with higher
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of higher.
Words that sound like higher
Questions about saying higher
How do you pronounce higher?
Say HY-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈhaɪɚ/. In British English it is /ˈhaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in higher?
Higher has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HY). Broken into parts: HY · er.
Is higher 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 /ˈhaɪə/ (HY-uh).
What words sound the same as higher?
Higher sounds the same as hire in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.