How to pronounce sturdy
Say it like STUR-dee. Sturdy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sturdy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STUR
- dee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sturdy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of sturdy
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STUR-dee.
What does sturdy mean?
- Of firm build; stiff; stout; strong.“a sturdy oak tree”
- Solid in structure or person.“It was a sturdy building, able to withstand strong winds and cold weather.”
- Resolute, in a good sense; or firm, unyielding quality.“a man of sturdy piety or patriotism”
- A disease caused by a coenurus infestation in the brain of an animal, especially a sheep or canid; coenurosis.
Where does sturdy come from?
Disease in cows and sheep is by extension of sense of “daze”, while sense of “strongly built” is of late 14th century, and relationship to earlier sense is less clear, perhaps from sense of a firm strike (causing a daze) or a strong, violent person.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sturdy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sturdy.
Questions about saying sturdy
How do you pronounce sturdy?
Say STUR-dee. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɝdi/. In British English it is /ˈstɜːdi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sturdy?
Sturdy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STUR). Broken into parts: STUR · dee.
Is sturdy 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 /ˈstɜːdi/ (STUR-dee).