How to pronounce target
Say it like TAR-gut. Target has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce target. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAR
- gut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Target 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.
- gutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of target
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAH-ghit.
Other ways to say target
Target also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- TUR-gut /ˈtɝɡət/
What does target mean?
- a reference point to shoot at“his arrow hit the mark”
- a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence“he fell prey to muggers”“everyone was fair game”
- the location of the target that is to be hit
- intend (something) to move towards a certain goal“He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face”“criticism directed at her superior”
Where does target come from?
From Middle French targette, targuete, diminutive of targe (“light shield”), from Old French, from Frankish *targa (“buckler”), akin to Old Norse targa (“small round shield”) (whence also Old English targe, targa (“shield”)) from Proto-Germ
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying target
How do you pronounce target?
Say TAR-gut. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑrɡət/. In British English it is /ˈtɑːɡɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in target?
Target has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAR). Broken into parts: TAR · gut.
Is target 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 /ˈtɑːɡɪt/ (TAH-ghit).