How to pronounce shorthand
Say it like SHORT-hand. Shorthand has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHORT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shorthand. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHORT
- hand
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shorthand pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHORTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- handGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of shorthand
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHAWT-hand.
What does shorthand mean?
- A rough and rapid method of writing by substituting symbols for letters, words, etc.
- Any brief or shortened way of saying or doing something.“The jargon becomes a shorthand for these advanced concepts.”
- To render (spoken or written words) into shorthand.
- To use a brief or shortened way of saying or doing something.
- To write in shorthand.
Where does shorthand come from?
The noun is derived from short + hand (“handwriting; style of penmanship”).
Questions about saying shorthand
How do you pronounce shorthand?
Say SHORT-hand. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɔrtˌhænd/. In British English it is /ˈʃɔːthænd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shorthand?
Shorthand has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHORT). Broken into parts: SHORT · hand.
Is shorthand 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 /ˈʃɔːthænd/ (SHAWT-hand).