How to pronounce holidays
Say it like HAH-luh-dayz. Holidays has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce holidays. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAH
- luh
- dayz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Holidays pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- dayzGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of holidays
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: HOL-ih-dayz.
What does holidays mean?
- plural of holiday How to pronounce holiday
- (usually after possessive) holiday, vacation; time off work, especially if spent traveling away from home.“Where are you going for your holidays this year?”
- The season around Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Day.“Where will you be spending the holidays?”
- third-person singular simple present indicative of holiday How to pronounce holiday
Questions about saying holidays
How do you pronounce holidays?
Say HAH-luh-dayz. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑləˌdeɪz/. In British English it is /ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in holidays?
Holidays has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH). Broken into parts: HAH · luh · dayz.
Is holidays pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪz/ (HOL-ih-dayz).