How to pronounce sulfur
Say it like SUHL-fer. Sulfur has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sulfur. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHL
- fer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sulfur pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of sulfur
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUHL-fuh.
What does sulfur mean?
- A chemical element with atomic number 16, having a bright yellow color and characteristic smell, used commercially in a variety of products such as insecticides, black powder, and matchsticks.
- The element symbolically associated with hellfire or damnation, or in alchemy, the fiery principle present in all things.
- A yellowish green color, like that of sulfur.
- To treat with sulfur, or a sulfur compound, especially to preserve or to counter agricultural pests.
- Of a yellowish green color, like that of sulfur.
- Having a characteristic sulfur-like smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs.
Where does sulfur come from?
From Middle English sulfur, borrowed from Anglo-Norman sulfre, from Latin sulfur, from sulpur itself of uncertain origin.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sulfur
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sulfur.
Words that sound like sulfur
Questions about saying sulfur
How do you pronounce sulfur?
Say SUHL-fer. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌlfɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsʌlfə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sulfur?
Sulfur has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHL). Broken into parts: SUHL · fer.
Is sulfur 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 /ˈsʌlfə/ (SUHL-fuh).
What words sound the same as sulfur?
Sulfur sounds the same as sulphur in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.