How to pronounce paragraph
Say it like PAR-uh-graf. Paragraph has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paragraph. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAR
- uh
- graf
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paragraph 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 "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- grafGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of paragraph
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: PAR-uh-grahf.
Other ways to say paragraph
Paragraph also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- PER-uh-graf /ˈpɛrəˌɡræf/
What does paragraph mean?
- one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
- divide into paragraphs, as of text“This story is well paragraphed”
- write about in a paragraph“All her friends were paragraphed in last Monday's paper”
- write paragraphs; work as a paragrapher
Questions about saying paragraph
How do you pronounce paragraph?
Say PAR-uh-graf. The American pronunciation is /ˈpærəˌɡræf/. In British English it is /ˈpærəˌɡrɑːf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paragraph?
Paragraph has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR). Broken into parts: PAR · uh · graf.
Is paragraph pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /ˈpærəˌɡrɑːf/ (PAR-uh-grahf).