How to pronounce sire
Say it like SY-er. Sire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SY
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of sire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SY-uh.
What does sire mean?
- To father; to beget.
- To turn (another person) into a vampire.
- A lord, master, or other person in authority, most commonly used vocatively: formerly in speaking to elders and superiors, later only when addressing a sovereign.
- A male animal that has fathered a particular offspring (especially used of domestic animals and in biological research).
- The vampire who turned another person.
Where does sire come from?
From Middle English sire, from Old French sire, the nominative singular of seignor; from Latin senior, from senex.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sire.
Questions about saying sire
How do you pronounce sire?
Say SY-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈsaɪɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sire?
Sire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SY). Broken into parts: SY · er.
Is sire 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 /ˈsaɪə/ (SY-uh).