How to pronounce source
Say it like SORS. Source is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- SORS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Source pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SORSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of source
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SAWS.
What does source mean?
- The person, place, or thing from which something (information, goods, etc.) comes or is acquired.“The accused refused to reveal the source of the illegal drugs she was selling.”
- Spring; fountainhead; wellhead; any collection of water on or under the surface of the ground in which a stream originates.“The main sources of the Euphrates River are the Karasu and Murat Rivers.”
- A reporter's informant.
- To obtain or procure: used especially of a business resource.
- To find information about (a quotation)'s source (from which it comes): to find a citation for.
Where does source come from?
From Middle English sours, from Old French sorse (“rise, beginning, spring, source”), from sors, past participle of sordre, sourdre, from Latin surgō (“to rise”), which is composed of sub- (“up from below”) + regō (“lead, rule”), ultimately
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with source
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of source.
Questions about saying source
How do you pronounce source?
Say SORS. The American pronunciation is /sɔrs/. In British English it is /sɔːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in source?
Source is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SORS.
Is source 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 /sɔːs/ (SAWS).