How to pronounce usher
Say it like UHSH-er. Usher has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHSH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce usher. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHSH
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Usher pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHSHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of usher
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UHSH-uh.
What does usher mean?
- take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums“The usher showed us to our seats”
- Irish prelate who deduced from the Bible that Creation occurred in the year 4004 BC (1581-1656)
- an official stationed at the entrance of a courtroom or legislative chamber
- someone employed to conduct others
Where does usher come from?
From Middle English ussher, uscher, usscher, from Anglo-Norman usser and Old French ussier, uissier (“porter, doorman”) (compare French huissier), from Vulgar Latin *ustiārius (“doorkeeper”), from Latin ōstiārius, from ōstium (“door”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying usher
How do you pronounce usher?
Say UHSH-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌʃɚ/. In British English it is /ˈʌʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in usher?
Usher has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHSH). Broken into parts: UHSH · er.
Is usher 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 /ˈʌʃə/ (UHSH-uh).