How to pronounce ream
Say it like REEM. Ream is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- REEM
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ream pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of ream
American and British speakers say ream in essentially the same way: /rim/ in the US and /riːm/ in the UK.
British respelling: REEM.
What does ream mean?
- To enlarge (a hole), especially using a reamer; to bore (a hole) wider.
- To remove (material) by reaming.
- To remove burrs and debris from inside (something, such as a freshly bored hole) using a tool.
- An extremely large quantity of documents, data, or information that supports a claim, investigation, or case.
- An abstract large amount of something.“I can't go – I still have reams of work left.”
Where does ream come from?
Cognate with Saterland Frisian Room (“cream”), West Frisian rjemme (“cream”), Dutch room (“cream”), German Low German Rahm, Rohm (“cream”), German Rahm (“cream”), Swedish römme (“cream”), Norwegian rømme (“sour cream”), Faroese rómi (“cream
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ream
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ream.
Questions about saying ream
How do you pronounce ream?
Say REEM. The American pronunciation is /rim/. In British English it is /riːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ream?
Ream is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: REEM.
Do Americans and Brits say ream the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rim/ and the British form is /riːm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.