How to pronounce umber
Say it like UHM-ber. Umber has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce umber. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHM
- ber
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Umber pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of umber
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UHM-buh.
What does umber mean?
- A brown clay, somewhat darker than ochre, which contains iron and manganese oxides.“They instructed the upholsterer to do the sofa in cinnamon and the ottoman in umber.”
- Alternative form of umbrere.
- A grayling.
- Of a reddish brown color, like that of the pigment.
- To give a reddish-brown color to.
Where does umber come from?
From Middle French ombre (“umber”), from terre d'ombre (“dark ochre”), from Old French umbre (“shade, shadow”), from Latin umbra.
Questions about saying umber
How do you pronounce umber?
Say UHM-ber. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌmbɚ/. In British English it is /ˈʌmbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in umber?
Umber has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHM). Broken into parts: UHM · ber.
Is umber 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 /ˈʌmbə/ (UHM-buh).