How to pronounce roadwork
Say it like ROH-dwurk. Roadwork has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce roadwork. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROH
- dwurk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Roadwork pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- dwurkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of roadwork
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ROH-dwurk.
What does roadwork mean?
- The construction or maintenance done to roads.“The traffic jam was caused by roadwork being done during rush hour.”
- Exercise such as running and jogging done on the roads.“The athlete needed to get home early to do his roadwork before it got too dark to be safe.”
- The taking of a band on the road to perform music in different locations.
Where does roadwork come from?
From road + work.
Questions about saying roadwork
How do you pronounce roadwork?
Say ROH-dwurk. The American pronunciation is /ˈroʊˌdwɝk/. In British English it is /ˈrəʊˌdwɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in roadwork?
Roadwork has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH). Broken into parts: ROH · dwurk.
Is roadwork 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 /ˈrəʊˌdwɜːk/ (ROH-dwurk).