How to pronounce powder
Say it like POW-der. Powder has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce powder. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POW
- der
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Powder pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of powder
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: POW-duh.
What does powder mean?
- a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
- a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks
- any of various cosmetic or medical preparations dispensed in the form of a pulverized powder
- make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust“pulverize the grains”
- apply powder to“She powdered her nose”“The King wears a powdered wig”
Where does powder come from?
From Middle English poudre, pouder, pouldre, borrowed from Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, from Latin pulverem, accusative singular of Latin pulvis (“dust, powder”).
Words that rhyme with powder
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of powder.
Questions about saying powder
How do you pronounce powder?
Say POW-der. The American pronunciation is /ˈpaʊdɚ/. In British English it is /ˈpaʊdə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in powder?
Powder has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POW). Broken into parts: POW · der.
Is powder 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 /ˈpaʊdə/ (POW-duh).