How to pronounce terrier
Say it like TER-ee-er. Terrier has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce terrier. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TER
- ee
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Terrier pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of terrier
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TER-ee-uh.
What does terrier mean?
- A dog from a group of small, lively breeds, originally bred for the hunting of burrowing prey such as rats, rabbits, foxes, and even otters; this original function is reflected in some of their names (e.g. rat terrier).
- Someone displaying terrier-like qualities such as determined pursuit.
- An inventory (book or roll) in which the lands of private persons or corporations are described by their site, boundaries, number of acres, etc.; a terrar.
- An auger or borer.
Where does terrier come from?
Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French chien terrier (“terrier dog”), from chien (“dog”) + Old French terrier (“of earth”, adjective), from Medieval Latin terrarius (“of earth”), from Latin terra (“earth”).
Words that rhyme with terrier
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of terrier.
Questions about saying terrier
How do you pronounce terrier?
Say TER-ee-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛriɚ/. In British English it is /ˈtɛriə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in terrier?
Terrier has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER). Broken into parts: TER · ee · er.
Is terrier 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 /ˈtɛriə/ (TER-ee-uh).