How to pronounce somber
Say it like SOM-ber. Somber has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce somber. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SOM
- ber
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Somber pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of somber
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SOM-buh.
What does somber mean?
- US standard spelling of sombre.
- US standard spelling of sombre.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with somber
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of somber.
Words that sound like somber
Questions about saying somber
How do you pronounce somber?
Say SOM-ber. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɑmbɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsɒmbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in somber?
Somber has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOM). Broken into parts: SOM · ber.
Is somber 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 /ˈsɒmbə/ (SOM-buh).
What words sound the same as somber?
Somber sounds the same as sombre in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.