How to pronounce ponder
Say it like PON-der. Ponder has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ponder. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PON
- der
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ponder pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of ponder
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PON-duh.
What does ponder mean?
- To wonder, think of deeply.
- To consider (something) carefully and thoroughly.“I have spent days pondering the meaning of life.”
- A period of deep thought.“I lit my pipe and had a ponder about it, but reached no definite conclusion.”
Where does ponder come from?
From Middle English ponderen, from Old French ponderer (“to weigh, balance, ponder”) from Latin ponderāre (“to weigh, ponder”), from pondus (“weight”), from pendere (“to weigh”); see pendent and pound.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ponder
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ponder.
Questions about saying ponder
How do you pronounce ponder?
Say PON-der. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑndɚ/. In British English it is /ˈpɒndə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ponder?
Ponder has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PON). Broken into parts: PON · der.
Is ponder 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 /ˈpɒndə/ (PON-duh).