How to pronounce quarter
Say it like KWOR-ter. Quarter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quarter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KWOR
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quarter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KWORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of quarter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KWAW-tuh.
What does quarter mean?
- one of four equal parts“a quarter of a pound”
- a district of a city having some distinguishing character“the Latin Quarter”
- (football, professional basketball) one of four divisions into which some games are divided“both teams scored in the first quarter”
- provide housing for (military personnel)
- pull (a person) apart with four horses tied to his extremities, so as to execute him“in the old days, people were drawn and quartered for certain crimes”
- divide into quarters“quarter an apple”
Where does quarter come from?
From Middle English quarter, from Anglo-Norman quarter, from Latin quartarius, from quartus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with quarter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quarter.
Questions about saying quarter
How do you pronounce quarter?
Say KWOR-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈkwɔrtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkwɔːtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quarter?
Quarter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWOR). Broken into parts: KWOR · ter.
Is quarter 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 /ˈkwɔːtə/ (KWAW-tuh).