How to pronounce never
Say it like NEV-er. Never has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce never. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NEV
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Never pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of never
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: NEV-uh.
What does never mean?
- not ever; at no time in the past or future“I have never been to China”“I shall never forget this day”
- not at all; certainly not; not in any circumstances“never fear”“bringing up children is never easy”
Where does never come from?
From Middle English nevere, navere, nævere, from Old English nǣfre (“never”), equivalent to ne + ever.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with never
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of never.
Questions about saying never
How do you pronounce never?
Say NEV-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɛvɚ/. In British English it is /ˈnɛvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in never?
Never has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NEV). Broken into parts: NEV · er.
Is never 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 /ˈnɛvə/ (NEV-uh).