How to pronounce rehearse
Say it like rih-HURS. Rehearse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HURS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rehearse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- HURS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rehearse pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- HURSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of rehearse
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: rih-HURS.
What does rehearse mean?
- To repeat, as what has been already said; to tell over again; to recite.“There’s no need to rehearse the same old argument; we’ve heard it before, and we all agree.”
- To narrate; to relate; to tell; to recount.“The witness rehearsed the events of the night before for the listening detectives.”
- To practise by recitation or repetition in private for experiment and improvement, prior to a public representation, especially in theater.“The main actors spent on average two hours a day rehearsing before the first night.”
Where does rehearse come from?
From Middle English rehersen, from Anglo-Norman reherser (“to repeat word-for-word”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with rehearse
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rehearse.
Questions about saying rehearse
How do you pronounce rehearse?
Say rih-HURS. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈhɝs/. In British English it is /rɪˈhɜːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rehearse?
Rehearse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HURS). Broken into parts: rih · HURS.
Is rehearse 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 /rɪˈhɜːs/ (rih-HURS).