How to pronounce roughneck
Say it like RUHF-nek. Roughneck has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUHF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce roughneck. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RUHF
- nek
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Roughneck pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RUHFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- nekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of roughneck
American and British speakers say roughneck in essentially the same way: /ˈrʌfˌnɛk/ in the US and /ˈrʌfˌnɛk/ in the UK.
British respelling: RUHF-nek.
What does roughneck mean?
- A laborer on an oil rig or in the oilpatch, either skilled or semiskilled.
- A dirty or low-paid worker, a laborer; an ironworker in an ironworks or a steelworker in a steelworks.
- Someone with rough manners; a rowdy or uncouth person.
- To work as a laborer on an oil rig.
Where does roughneck come from?
From rough + neck, originally "someone who works a manual labor job".
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying roughneck
How do you pronounce roughneck?
Say RUHF-nek. The American pronunciation is /ˈrʌfˌnɛk/. In British English it is /ˈrʌfˌnɛk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in roughneck?
Roughneck has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUHF). Broken into parts: RUHF · nek.
Do Americans and Brits say roughneck the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrʌfˌnɛk/ and the British form is /ˈrʌfˌnɛk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.