How to pronounce housework
Say it like HOW-swurk. Housework has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce housework. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOW
- swurk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Housework pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- swurkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of housework
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HOW-swurk.
What does housework mean?
- domestic household chores such as cleaning and cooking
- homework
Where does housework come from?
From house + work. Cognate with Dutch huiswerk (“homework”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying housework
How do you pronounce housework?
Say HOW-swurk. The American pronunciation is /ˈhaʊˌswɝk/. In British English it is /ˈhaʊˌswɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in housework?
Housework has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOW). Broken into parts: HOW · swurk.
Is housework 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 /ˈhaʊˌswɜːk/ (HOW-swurk).