How to pronounce smeary
Say it like SMIH-er-ee. Smeary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMIH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smeary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMIH
- er
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smeary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMIHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of smeary
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SMEER-ee.
What does smeary mean?
- Having or showing smears.
- Tending to smear or soil.
- Having a consistency like grease; covered with such a substance.
Where does smeary come from?
From Middle English *smery, *smeri, from Old English smeoruwiġ (“fatty, greasy, unctious, smeary”), from Proto-West Germanic *smerwig, equivalent to smear + -y.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with smeary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of smeary.
Questions about saying smeary
How do you pronounce smeary?
Say SMIH-er-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsmɪɚi/. In British English it is /ˈsmɪəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smeary?
Smeary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMIH). Broken into parts: SMIH · er · ee.
Is smeary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2. The British form is /ˈsmɪəri/ (SMEER-ee).