How to pronounce sourdough
Say it like SOW-er-doh. Sourdough has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sourdough. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SOW
- er
- doh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sourdough pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- dohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of sourdough
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: SOW-uh-doh.
What does sourdough mean?
- A type of bread dough leavened with yeast and lactobacilli that produce acids giving a sour taste.
- An old-timer, especially in Alaska.
- A permanent resident of the territory. Someone who has lived in the Yukon during all four seasons.
Where does sourdough come from?
The senses pertaining to California, Alaska and the Yukon derive from the distinctive pouches of bread starter (starter dough used to make sourdough) worn on a belt or around the neck by experienced prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush
Questions about saying sourdough
How do you pronounce sourdough?
Say SOW-er-doh. The American pronunciation is /ˈsaʊɚˌdoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈsaʊəˌdəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sourdough?
Sourdough has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOW). Broken into parts: SOW · er · doh.
Is sourdough 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 /ˈsaʊəˌdəʊ/ (SOW-uh-doh).