How to pronounce memoir
Say it like MEM-wor. Memoir has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce memoir. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MEM
- wor
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Memoir pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- worGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of memoir
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MEM-wah.
What does memoir mean?
- an account of the author's personal experiences
- an essay on a scientific or scholarly topic
Where does memoir come from?
Borrowed from French mémoire, from Middle French memoire, from Old French memoire, from Latin memoria.
Questions about saying memoir
How do you pronounce memoir?
Say MEM-wor. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɛmˌwɑr/. In British English it is /ˈmɛmˌwɑː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in memoir?
Memoir has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEM). Broken into parts: MEM · wor.
Is memoir 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 /ˈmɛmˌwɑː/ (MEM-wah).