How to pronounce perverse
Say it like per-VURS. Perverse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VURS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perverse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- VURS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perverse 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.
- VURSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of perverse
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-VURS.
What does perverse mean?
- Turned aside while against something, splitting off from a thing.
- Morally wrong or evil; wicked; perverted.
- Obstinately in the wrong; stubborn; intractable.
Where does perverse come from?
From Middle English perverse, pervers, from Old French pervers, from Latin perversum (“thoroughly turned”), past participle of pervertere, from per- (“thoroughly”) + vertere (“to turn”).
Words that rhyme with perverse
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perverse.
Questions about saying perverse
How do you pronounce perverse?
Say per-VURS. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈvɝs/. In British English it is /pəˈvɜːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perverse?
Perverse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VURS). Broken into parts: per · VURS.
Is perverse 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 /pəˈvɜːs/ (puh-VURS).