How to pronounce sever
Say it like SEV-er. Sever has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sever. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEV
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sever pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of sever
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SEV-uh.
What does sever mean?
- To cut free.“After he graduated, he severed all links to his family.”
- To suffer disjunction; to be parted or separated.
- To make a separation or distinction; to distinguish.
Where does sever come from?
From Middle English severen, from Old French sevrer, from Latin separāre (“to separate”), from se- (“apart”) + parāre (“provide, arrange”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sever
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sever.
Questions about saying sever
How do you pronounce sever?
Say SEV-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛvɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsɛvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sever?
Sever has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEV). Broken into parts: SEV · er.
Is sever 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 /ˈsɛvə/ (SEV-uh).