How to pronounce refurbish
Say it like ree-FUR-bish. Refurbish has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce refurbish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- FUR
- bish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Refurbish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- bishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of refurbish
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ree-FUR-bish.
What does refurbish mean?
- To rebuild or replenish with all new material; to restore to original (or better) working order and appearance.“We're having the sitting room refurbished, after a leak damaged a large part of the room.”
- A refurbishment.“My bedroom needs a refurbish.”
Where does refurbish come from?
1605, from re- + furbish, from Middle English furbishen, from Middle French forbir (stem furbiss-, “to clean, polish”), from Frankish *furbēn (“to clean, polish”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying refurbish
How do you pronounce refurbish?
Say ree-FUR-bish. The American pronunciation is /riˈfɝbɪʃ/. In British English it is /riːˈfɜːbɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in refurbish?
Refurbish has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR). Broken into parts: ree · FUR · bish.
Is refurbish 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 /riːˈfɜːbɪʃ/ (ree-FUR-bish).