How to pronounce thoroughbred
Say it like THUR-roh-bred. Thoroughbred has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce thoroughbred. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- THUR
- roh
- bred
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Thoroughbred pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THURSay this part loudest and longest.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- bredGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of thoroughbred
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: THUR-roh-bred.
What does thoroughbred mean?
- Alternative letter-case form of Thoroughbred (“horse bred for racing”).
- Any purebred horse.
- A person of uncommon strength or endurance (like that of a thoroughbred horse).“That athlete is a real thoroughbred.”
- Bred from pure stock.
- Well-bred and properly educated.
Where does thoroughbred come from?
From thorough + bred.
Questions about saying thoroughbred
How do you pronounce thoroughbred?
Say THUR-roh-bred. The American pronunciation is /ˈθɜroʊˌbrɛd/. In British English it is /ˈθɜrəʊˌbrɛd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in thoroughbred?
Thoroughbred has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THUR). Broken into parts: THUR · roh · bred.
Is thoroughbred pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈθɜrəʊˌbrɛd/ (THUR-roh-bred).