How to pronounce hurry
Say it like HUR-ree. Hurry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hurry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HUR
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hurry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HURSay this part loudest and longest.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of hurry
American and British speakers say hurry in essentially the same way: /ˈhɜri/ in the US and /ˈhʌri/ in the UK.
British respelling: HUHR-ee.
What does hurry mean?
- a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry“in a hurry to lock the door”
- overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)“he soon regretted his haste”
- the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner“in his haste to leave he forgot his book”
- move very fast“The runner zipped past us at breakneck speed”
- act or move at high speed“We have to rush!”“hurry--it's late!”
- urge to an unnatural speed“Don't rush me, please!”
Where does hurry come from?
Alternative etymology derives hurry as a variant of harry.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with hurry
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hurry.
Questions about saying hurry
How do you pronounce hurry?
Say HUR-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɜri/. In British English it is /ˈhʌri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hurry?
Hurry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR). Broken into parts: HUR · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say hurry the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɜri/ and the British form is /ˈhʌri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.