How to pronounce saffron
Say it like SAF-run. Saffron has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce saffron. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SAF
- run
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Saffron pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SAFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- runKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of saffron
American and British speakers say saffron in essentially the same way: /ˈsæfrən/ in the US and /ˈsæfrən/ in the UK.
British respelling: SAF-run.
What does saffron mean?
- A plant of species Crocus sativus, a crocus.
- A spice (seasoning) and coloring agent made from the stigma and part of the style of the plant, sometimes or formerly also used as a dye and insect repellent.
- An orange-yellow color, the color of a lion's pelt.
- Having an orange-yellow color.
- Associated with Hinduism, Hindus or Hindu nationalism.
- To add saffron to (a food), for taste, color etc.“saffroned water, saffroned rice”
- To give a saffron color to (something).
- To dye (a fabric, garment, etc.) with a saffron-based dye.
Questions about saying saffron
How do you pronounce saffron?
Say SAF-run. The American pronunciation is /ˈsæfrən/. In British English it is /ˈsæfrən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in saffron?
Saffron has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAF). Broken into parts: SAF · run.
Do Americans and Brits say saffron the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsæfrən/ and the British form is /ˈsæfrən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.