How to pronounce tears
Say it like TAIRZ. Tears is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tears. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAIRZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tears pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TAIRZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of tears
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAIRZ.
Other ways to say tears
Tears also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- TEERZ /tɪrz/
What does tears mean?
- the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)“I hate to hear the crying of a child”“she was in tears”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tears
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tears.
Questions about saying tears
How do you pronounce tears?
Say TAIRZ. The American pronunciation is /tɛrz/. In British English it is /tɛəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tears?
Tears is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: TAIRZ.
Is tears 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 /tɛəz/ (TAIRZ).