How to pronounce superhero
Say it like soo-per-HEE-roh. Superhero has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce superhero. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- soo
- per
- HEE
- roh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Superhero pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- HEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of superhero
- 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: soo-puh-HEE-roh.
What does superhero mean?
- Any fictional crime-fighting character, often with supernatural powers or equipment, in popular children's and fantasy literature; a fictional hero who does great things.
- A particularly renowned real-world hero, or one who has seemingly impossible abilities.“The power is out but you're watching TV? You must be a superhero.”
Where does superhero come from?
From super- + hero. First attested in 1917.
Questions about saying superhero
How do you pronounce superhero?
Say soo-per-HEE-roh. The American pronunciation is /ˌsupɚˈhiroʊ/. In British English it is /ˌsuːpəˈhiːrəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in superhero?
Superhero has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEE). Broken into parts: soo · per · HEE · roh.
Is superhero 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 /ˌsuːpəˈhiːrəʊ/ (soo-puh-HEE-roh).