How to pronounce rubberneck
Say it like RUHB-er-nek. Rubberneck has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUHB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rubberneck. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RUHB
- er
- nek
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rubberneck pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RUHBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- nekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of rubberneck
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: RUHB-uh-nek.
What does rubberneck mean?
- Someone who engages in rubbernecking, or turning and staring.
- Someone or something with a flexible neck.
- To watch by craning the neck (as though it were made of rubber), especially if the observer and observed are in motion relative to each other.“The driver was so busy rubbernecking, trying to get a good view of the accident, that he was almost part of another accident.”
- To cause (someone) to watch in fascinated horror, as if rubbernecking to see a roadside accident.
Where does rubberneck come from?
From rubber + neck. Coined in the sense of "tourist" in the United States in the late 19th century.
Questions about saying rubberneck
How do you pronounce rubberneck?
Say RUHB-er-nek. The American pronunciation is /ˈrʌbɚˌnɛk/. In British English it is /ˈrʌbəˌnɛk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rubberneck?
Rubberneck has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUHB). Broken into parts: RUHB · er · nek.
Is rubberneck 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 /ˈrʌbəˌnɛk/ (RUHB-uh-nek).