How to pronounce start
Say it like START. Start is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
US American/stɑrt/START
UK British/stɑːt/STAHT
- START
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Start pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STARTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of start
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STAHT.
What does start mean?
noun
- The beginning of an activity.“The movie was entertaining from start to finish.”
- A sudden involuntary movement.“He woke with a start.”
- The beginning point of a race, a board game, etc.“Captured pieces are returned to the start of the board.”
- To set in motion.“to start a stream of water; to start a rumour; to start a business”
- To begin.“The President fired the gun to start the footrace.”
- To ready the operation of a vehicle or machine.“to start the engine”
- An instance of starting.
Where does start come from?
From Middle English stert, from the verb sterten (“to start, startle”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with start
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of start.
Questions about saying start
How do you pronounce start?
Say START. The American pronunciation is /stɑrt/. In British English it is /stɑːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in start?
Start is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: START.
Is start 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 /stɑːt/ (STAHT).