How to pronounce vulgar
Say it like VUHL-gher. Vulgar has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vulgar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VUHL
- gher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vulgar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- gherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of vulgar
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: VUHL-guh.
What does vulgar mean?
- lacking refinement or cultivation or taste“he had coarse manners but a first-rate mind”“behavior that branded him as common”
- of or associated with the great masses of people“the common people in those days suffered greatly”“behavior that branded him as common”
- being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language“common parlance”“a vernacular term”
Where does vulgar come from?
From Middle English vulgare, from Latin vulgāris, from volgus, vulgus (“mob; common folk”), from Proto-Indo-European *welH-.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying vulgar
How do you pronounce vulgar?
Say VUHL-gher. The American pronunciation is /ˈvʌlɡɚ/. In British English it is /ˈvʌlɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vulgar?
Vulgar has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VUHL). Broken into parts: VUHL · gher.
Is vulgar 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 /ˈvʌlɡə/ (VUHL-guh).