How to pronounce retired
Say it like rih-TIRED. Retired has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIRED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retired. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- TIRED
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retired 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.
- TIREDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of retired
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: rih-TYDE.
What does retired mean?
- no longer active in your work or profession
Where does retired come from?
From retire + -ed.
Words that rhyme with retired
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retired.
Questions about saying retired
How do you pronounce retired?
Say rih-TIRED. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈtaɪrd/. In British English it is /rɪˈtaɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retired?
Retired has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIRED). Broken into parts: rih · TIRED.
Is retired 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 /rɪˈtaɪd/ (rih-TYDE).