How to pronounce spark
Say it like SPARK. Spark is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce spark. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPARK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spark pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPARKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of spark
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SPAHK.
What does spark mean?
- a momentary flash of light
- merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance“he had a sparkle in his eye”“there's a perpetual twinkle in his eyes”
- electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
- put in motion or move to act“trigger a reaction”“actuate the circuits”
- emit or produce sparks“A high tension wire, brought down by a storm, can continue to spark”
Where does spark come from?
From Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from Proto-West Germanic *sparkō (compare Saterland Frisian Spoorke, West Frisian spark, Dutch spark, German Low German Sparke, German Sparke), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *spark
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with spark
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of spark.
Questions about saying spark
How do you pronounce spark?
Say SPARK. The American pronunciation is /spɑrk/. In British English it is /spɑːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spark?
Spark is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SPARK.
Is spark 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 /spɑːk/ (SPAHK).