How to pronounce thorn
Say it like THORN. Thorn 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 thorn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- THORN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Thorn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THORNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of thorn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: THAWN.
What does thorn mean?
- A modified branch that is hard and sharp like a spike.
- Any thorn-like structure on plants, such as the spine and the prickle.
- Any shrub or small tree that bears thorns, especially a hawthorn.“the white thorn”
- To pierce with, or as if with, a thorn (sharp pointed object).
Where does thorn come from?
Near cognates include West Frisian toarn, Low German Doorn, Dutch doorn, German Dorn, Danish and Norwegian torn, Swedish torn, törne, Gothic 𐌸𐌰𐌿𐍂𐌽𐌿𐍃 (þaurnus).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with thorn
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of thorn.
Questions about saying thorn
How do you pronounce thorn?
Say THORN. The American pronunciation is /θɔrn/. In British English it is /θɔːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in thorn?
Thorn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: THORN.
Is thorn 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 /θɔːn/ (THAWN).