How to pronounce hoverfly
Say it like HUHV-er-fly. Hoverfly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUHV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hoverfly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HUHV
- er
- fly
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hoverfly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HUHVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- flyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of hoverfly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HUHV-uh-fly.
What does hoverfly mean?
- Any of various flies from the family Syrphidae that hover in the air and feed on the nectar of flowers.
Where does hoverfly come from?
From hover + fly.
Questions about saying hoverfly
How do you pronounce hoverfly?
Say HUHV-er-fly. The American pronunciation is /ˈhʌvɚˌflaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈhʌvəˌflaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hoverfly?
Hoverfly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUHV). Broken into parts: HUHV · er · fly.
Is hoverfly 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 /ˈhʌvəˌflaɪ/ (HUHV-uh-fly).