How to pronounce new
Say it like NOO. New is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce new. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NOO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
New pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of new
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: NYOO.
What does new mean?
- not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered“a new law”“new cars”
- original and of a kind not seen before“the computer produced a completely novel proof of a well-known theorem”
- lacking training or experience“the new men were eager to fight”“raw recruits”
- very recently“they are newly married”“newly raised objections”
Where does new come from?
Cognate with Scots new (“new”), North Frisian nai, nei, nii (“new”), Saterland Frisian näi (“new”), West Frisian nij (“new”), Alemannic German nöi, nüüw (“new”), Bavarian neich (“new”), Cimbrian naüge (“new”), Dutch nieuw, nij (“new”), Dutc
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with new
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of new.
Words that sound like new
Questions about saying new
How do you pronounce new?
Say NOO. The American pronunciation is /nu/. In British English it is /njuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in new?
New is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: NOO.
Is new pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /njuː/ (NYOO).
What words sound the same as new?
New sounds the same as gnu, nu in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.