How to pronounce upstairs
Say it like up-STAIRZ. Upstairs has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAIRZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce upstairs. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- up
- STAIRZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Upstairs pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- upKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STAIRZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of upstairs
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: up-STAIRZ.
What does upstairs mean?
- on a floor above“they lived upstairs”
- with respect to the mind“she's a bit weak upstairs”
- on or of upper floors of a building“the upstairs maid”“an upstairs room”
- the part of a building above the ground floor“no one was allowed to see the upstairs”
Where does upstairs come from?
From up- + stair + -s.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with upstairs
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of upstairs.
Questions about saying upstairs
How do you pronounce upstairs?
Say up-STAIRZ. The American pronunciation is /əpˈstɛrz/. In British English it is /ʌpˈstɛəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in upstairs?
Upstairs has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAIRZ). Broken into parts: up · STAIRZ.
Is upstairs 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 /ʌpˈstɛəz/ (up-STAIRZ).