How to pronounce service
Say it like SUR-vus. Service has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce service. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- vus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Service pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- vusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of service
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-vis.
What does service mean?
- work done by one person or group that benefits another“budget separately for goods and services”
- an act of help or assistance“he did them a service”
- the act of public worship following prescribed rules“the Sunday service”
- be used by; as of a utility“The sewage plant served the neighboring communities”“The garage served to shelter his horses”
- make fit for use“service my truck”“the washing machine needs to be serviced”
- mate with“male animals serve the females for breeding purposes”
Where does service come from?
From Middle English servise, from Old English serfis, from Old French servise (French service), from the verb servir, from Latin servitium (compare Portuguese serviço, Italian servizio, Norman sèrvice, Spanish servicio), from servus (“serva
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with service
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of service.
Questions about saying service
How do you pronounce service?
Say SUR-vus. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝvəs/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːvɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in service?
Service has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · vus.
Is service 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 /ˈsɜːvɪs/ (SUR-vis).