How to pronounce inferno
Say it like in-FUR-noh. Inferno has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inferno. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- FUR
- noh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inferno pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- nohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of inferno
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: in-FUR-noh.
What does inferno mean?
- A place or situation resembling Hell.
- A large fire; a conflagration.“The inferno ripped through the forest, destroying anything in its path.”
Where does inferno come from?
The meaning "big fire" came as a figurative use from the traditional idea of hellfire.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- hellhole
Questions about saying inferno
How do you pronounce inferno?
Say in-FUR-noh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈfɝˌnoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈfɜːˌnəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inferno?
Inferno has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR). Broken into parts: in · FUR · noh.
Is inferno 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 /ˌɪnˈfɜːˌnəʊ/ (in-FUR-noh).