How to pronounce highfather
Say it like HY-fah-ther. Highfather has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce highfather. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HY
- fah
- ther
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Highfather 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.
- fahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- therKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of highfather
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HY-fah-thuh.
What does highfather mean?
- A respected, high-ranking male elder or leader; a patriarch; a forefather; a grandfather.
Where does highfather come from?
Perhaps from Middle English hehfader, heahfeder, from Old English hēahfæder (“patriarch”, literally “high-father”); or perhaps a direct revival of the Old English word.
Questions about saying highfather
How do you pronounce highfather?
Say HY-fah-ther. The American pronunciation is /ˈhaɪˌfɑðɚ/. In British English it is /ˈhaɪˌfɑːðə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in highfather?
Highfather has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HY). Broken into parts: HY · fah · ther.
Is highfather 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 /ˈhaɪˌfɑːðə/ (HY-fah-thuh).