How to pronounce verb
Say it like VURB. Verb 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 verb. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VURB
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Verb pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VURBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of verb
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: VURB.
What does verb mean?
- the word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence
- a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence
Where does verb come from?
From Middle English verbe, directly from Latin verbum (“word, verb”), reinforced by Old French verbe, from Proto-Indo-European *werdʰo-.
Words that rhyme with verb
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of verb.
Questions about saying verb
How do you pronounce verb?
Say VURB. The American pronunciation is /vɝb/. In British English it is /vɜːb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in verb?
Verb is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: VURB.
Is verb 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 /vɜːb/ (VURB).