How to pronounce rare
Say it like RAIR. Rare is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rare. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rare pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of rare
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: RAIR.
What does rare mean?
- not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness“a rare word”“rare books”
- recurring only at long intervals“a rare appearance”“total eclipses are rare events”
- not widely distributed“rare herbs”“rare patches of green in the desert”
Where does rare come from?
hence modern English seld
Words that rhyme with rare
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rare.
Questions about saying rare
How do you pronounce rare?
Say RAIR. The American pronunciation is /rɛr/. In British English it is /rɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rare?
Rare is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: RAIR.
Is rare 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 /rɛə/ (RAIR).