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How to pronounce rebus

Say it like REE-bus. Rebus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE).

VoiceSpeed

Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rebus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.

US American/ˈribəs/REE-bus
UK British/ˈriːbəs/REE-bus
  • REE
  • bus
  • Main stress
  • Lighter stress
  • Unstressed

Rebus pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

  1. REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
  2. busKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.

American vs British pronunciation of rebus

American and British speakers say rebus in essentially the same way: /ˈribəs/ in the US and /ˈriːbəs/ in the UK.

British respelling: REE-bus.

What does rebus mean?

noun
  1. An arrangement of pictures, symbols, or words representing phrases or words, especially as a word puzzle.
  2. A pictographic component of a compound character (e.g. sinograph) used to hint at the pronunciation of the compound.
  3. An arrangement of pictures on a coat of arms which suggests the name of the person to whom it belongs.

Questions about saying rebus

How do you pronounce rebus?

Say REE-bus. The American pronunciation is /ˈribəs/. In British English it is /ˈriːbəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

How many syllables are in rebus?

Rebus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE). Broken into parts: REE · bus.

Do Americans and Brits say rebus the same way?

Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈribəs/ and the British form is /ˈriːbəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.

Pronunciation from Wiktionary; meaning and origin adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).