How to pronounce tar
Say it like TAR. Tar is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/tɑr/TAR
UK British/tɑː/TAH
- TAR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of tar
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAH.
What does tar mean?
noun
- any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
- a man who serves as a sailor
- coat with tar“tar the roof”“tar the roads”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tar
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tar.
Questions about saying tar
How do you pronounce tar?
Say TAR. The American pronunciation is /tɑr/. In British English it is /tɑː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tar?
Tar is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: TAR.
Is tar 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 /tɑː/ (TAH).