How to pronounce ours
Say it like OW-erz. Ours has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ours. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OW
- erz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ours pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of ours
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: OW-uz.
What does ours mean?
- Excluding the person(s) being addressed (exclusive ours)“You can't take that! It's ours!”
- Including the person(s) being addressed (inclusive ours).“We should ask for it back. After all, it is ours.”
- That or those belonging to any entity that the speaker is a part of or identifies with, such as place of employment or education, nation, region, language, etc.“French food is better than ours.”
Where does ours come from?
From Middle English oures, attested since the 1300s.
Words that sound like ours
Questions about saying ours
How do you pronounce ours?
Say OW-erz. The American pronunciation is /ˈaʊɚz/. In British English it is /ˈaʊəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ours?
Ours has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OW). Broken into parts: OW · erz.
Is ours 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 /ˈaʊəz/ (OW-uz).
What words sound the same as ours?
Ours sounds the same as hours in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.