How to pronounce irksome
Say it like URK-sum. Irksome has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (URK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce irksome. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- URK
- sum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Irksome pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- URKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- sumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of irksome
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: URK-sum.
What does irksome mean?
- Marked by irritation or annoyance; disagreeable; troublesome by reason of long continuance or repetition“He has this irksome habit of racing up to red lights, so he has to brake heavily.”
Where does irksome come from?
From Middle English irkesome, irksum, equivalent to irk + -some, or perhaps continuing (in altered form) from Old English weorcsum (“painful, hurtful”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying irksome
How do you pronounce irksome?
Say URK-sum. The American pronunciation is /ˈɝksəm/. In British English it is /ˈɜːksəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in irksome?
Irksome has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (URK). Broken into parts: URK · sum.
Is irksome 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 /ˈɜːksəm/ (URK-sum).