How to pronounce older
Say it like OHL-der. Older has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce older. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OHL
- der
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Older pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of older
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OHL-duh.
What does older mean?
- advanced in years; (aged is pronounced as two syllables)“aged members of the society”“elderly residents could remember the construction of the first skyscraper”
- used of the older of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a father from his son“Bill Adams, Sr.”
- skilled through long experience“an old offender”“the older soldiers”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with older
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of older.
Questions about saying older
How do you pronounce older?
Say OHL-der. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊldɚ/. In British English it is /ˈəʊldə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in older?
Older has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OHL). Broken into parts: OHL · der.
Is older 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 /ˈəʊldə/ (OHL-duh).