How to pronounce orphan
Say it like OR-fun. Orphan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce orphan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈɔrfən/OR-fun
UK British/ˈɔːfən/AW-fun
- OR
- fun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Orphan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- funKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of orphan
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AW-fun.
What does orphan mean?
noun
- a child who has lost both parents
- someone or something who lacks support or care or supervision
- the first line of a paragraph that is set as the last line of a page or column
- deprive of parents
Questions about saying orphan
How do you pronounce orphan?
Say OR-fun. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔrfən/. In British English it is /ˈɔːfən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in orphan?
Orphan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR). Broken into parts: OR · fun.
Is orphan 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 /ˈɔːfən/ (AW-fun).