How to pronounce par
Say it like PAR. Par 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 par. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Par pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of par
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAH.
What does par mean?
- (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course“a par-5 hole”“par for this course is 72”
- a state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced“on a par with the best”
- make a score (on a hole) equal to par
Where does par come from?
Borrowed from French par (“through, by”), from Latin per (“through”).
Words that rhyme with par
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of par.
Words that sound like par
Questions about saying par
How do you pronounce par?
Say PAR. The American pronunciation is /pɑr/. In British English it is /pɑː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in par?
Par is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PAR.
Is par 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 /pɑː/ (PAH).
What words sound the same as par?
Par sounds the same as parr in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.