How to pronounce limerick
Say it like LIM-uh-rik. Limerick has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce limerick. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LIM
- uh
- rik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Limerick pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of limerick
American and British speakers say limerick in essentially the same way: /ˈlɪmərɪk/ in the US and /ˈlɪmərɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: LIM-uh-rik.
What does limerick mean?
- A humorous, often bawdy verse of five anapaestic lines, with the rhyme scheme aabba, and typically having an 8–8–5–5–8 cadence.
Where does limerick come from?
From the Irish town name Limerick, Irish Luimneach [ˈl̪ˠɪmʲənʲəx].
Questions about saying limerick
How do you pronounce limerick?
Say LIM-uh-rik. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɪmərɪk/. In British English it is /ˈlɪmərɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in limerick?
Limerick has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIM). Broken into parts: LIM · uh · rik.
Do Americans and Brits say limerick the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɪmərɪk/ and the British form is /ˈlɪmərɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.