How to pronounce nursery
Say it like NUR-suh-ree. Nursery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nursery. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NUR
- suh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nursery pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of nursery
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: NUR-suh-ree.
What does nursery mean?
- a child's room for a baby
Where does nursery come from?
From Middle English noricerie, norserye (“children's nursery; state of being fostered or nursed; education, upbringing”) [and other forms], from Old French norricerie, nourricerie, from norrice, nourrice (modern French nourrice (“childminde
Words that rhyme with nursery
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of nursery.
Questions about saying nursery
How do you pronounce nursery?
Say NUR-suh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɝsəri/. In British English it is /ˈnɜːsəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nursery?
Nursery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUR). Broken into parts: NUR · suh · ree.
Is nursery 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 /ˈnɜːsəri/ (NUR-suh-ree).