How to pronounce urn
Say it like URN. Urn 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 urn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- URN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Urn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- URNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of urn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: URN.
What does urn mean?
- A vase with a footed base.
- A metal vessel for serving tea or coffee.
- A vessel for the ashes or cremains of a deceased person.
- To place in an urn.
Where does urn come from?
From Middle English urne, from Old French urne, from Latin urna (“vessel”).
Words that rhyme with urn
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of urn.
Words that sound like urn
Questions about saying urn
How do you pronounce urn?
Say URN. The American pronunciation is /ɝn/. In British English it is /ɜːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in urn?
Urn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: URN.
Is urn 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 /ɜːn/ (URN).
What words sound the same as urn?
Urn sounds the same as earn in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.