How to pronounce mermaid
Say it like MUR-mayd. Mermaid has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mermaid. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MUR
- mayd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mermaid pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- maydGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of mermaid
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MUR-mayd.
What does mermaid mean?
- A mythological creature with a woman's head and upper body, and a tail of a fish.
- Coloured a brilliant turquoise.“a mermaid smoothie”
Where does mermaid come from?
From Middle English mermayde (“maid of the sea”), from mere (“sea, lake”) + maid, equivalent to mer- + maid.
Questions about saying mermaid
How do you pronounce mermaid?
Say MUR-mayd. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɝˌmeɪd/. In British English it is /ˈmɜːˌmeɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mermaid?
Mermaid has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUR). Broken into parts: MUR · mayd.
Is mermaid 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 /ˈmɜːˌmeɪd/ (MUR-mayd).