How to pronounce scary
Say it like SKER-ee. Scary has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce scary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKER
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Scary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of scary
American and British speakers say scary in essentially the same way: /ˈskɛri/ in the US and /ˈskɛəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: SKAIR-ree.
What does scary mean?
- provoking fear terror“a scary movie”“the most terrible and shuddery...tales of murder and revenge”
Where does scary come from?
From scare + -y.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with scary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of scary.
Questions about saying scary
How do you pronounce scary?
Say SKER-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈskɛri/. In British English it is /ˈskɛəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in scary?
Scary has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKER). Broken into parts: SKER · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say scary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈskɛri/ and the British form is /ˈskɛəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.