How to pronounce serves
Say it like SURVZ. Serves is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce serves. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/sɝvz/SURVZ
UK British/sɜːvz/SURVZ
- SURVZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Serves pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURVZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of serves
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SURVZ.
What does serves mean?
verb
- third-person singular simple present indicative of serve How to pronounce serve
- plural of serve How to pronounce serve“His serves did not clear the volleyball net.”
Questions about saying serves
How do you pronounce serves?
Say SURVZ. The American pronunciation is /sɝvz/. In British English it is /sɜːvz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in serves?
Serves is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SURVZ.
Is serves 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 /sɜːvz/ (SURVZ).