How to pronounce kir
Say it like KEER. Kir is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kir. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KEER
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kir pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of kir
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KEER.
What does kir mean?
- A cocktail made with a measure of crème de cassis topped up with white wine.
Where does kir come from?
Borrowed from French kir, named after Félix Kir, mayor of Dijon.
Words that rhyme with kir
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of kir.
Questions about saying kir
How do you pronounce kir?
Say KEER. The American pronunciation is /kɪr/. In British English it is /kɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kir?
Kir is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KEER.
Is kir 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 /kɪə/ (KEER).