How to pronounce pursue
Say it like per-SOO. Pursue has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pursue. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- SOO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pursue 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.
- SOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of pursue
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: puh-SYOO.
What does pursue mean?
- carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in“She pursued many activities”“They engaged in a discussion”
- follow in or as if in pursuit“The police car pursued the suspected attacker”“Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life”
- go in search of or hunt for“pursue a hobby”
Where does pursue come from?
From Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-Norman pursure, poursuire etc., from Latin prōsequor (though influenced by persequor).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with pursue
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pursue.
Questions about saying pursue
How do you pronounce pursue?
Say per-SOO. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈsu/. In British English it is /pəˈsjuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pursue?
Pursue has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SOO). Broken into parts: per · SOO.
Is pursue 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 /pəˈsjuː/ (puh-SYOO).