How to pronounce perhaps
Say it like per-HAPS. Perhaps has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAPS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perhaps. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- HAPS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perhaps pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- HAPSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of perhaps
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-HAPS.
What does perhaps mean?
- by chance“perhaps she will call tomorrow”“we may possibly run into them at the concert”
Where does perhaps come from?
From Middle English perhappes, perhappous, variant of earlier perhap (“perhaps, possibly”), equivalent to per- + hap (“chance, coincidence”) + -s, on model of Middle English parchaunce (modern perchance).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with perhaps
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perhaps.
Questions about saying perhaps
How do you pronounce perhaps?
Say per-HAPS. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈhæps/. In British English it is /pəˈhæps/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perhaps?
Perhaps has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAPS). Broken into parts: per · HAPS.
Is perhaps 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 /pəˈhæps/ (puh-HAPS).