How to pronounce nerves
Say it like NURVZ. Nerves is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nerves. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/nɝvz/NURVZ
UK British/nɜːvz/NURVZ
- NURVZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nerves pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NURVZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of nerves
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: NURVZ.
What does nerves mean?
noun
- an uneasy psychological state“he suffered an attack of nerves”
- control of your emotions“this kind of tension is not good for my nerves”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying nerves
How do you pronounce nerves?
Say NURVZ. The American pronunciation is /nɝvz/. In British English it is /nɜːvz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nerves?
Nerves is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: NURVZ.
Is nerves 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 /nɜːvz/ (NURVZ).