How to pronounce wallflower
Say it like WAWL-flow-er. Wallflower has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wallflower. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAWL
- flow
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wallflower pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- flowGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of wallflower
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WAWL-flow-uh.
What does wallflower mean?
- Any of several short-lived herbs or shrubs of the Erysimum genus with bright yellow to red flowers.
- Gastrolobium grandiflorum, a poisonous bushy shrub, endemic to Australia.
- A person who does not dance at a party, due to shyness or unpopularity; by extension, anyone who is left on the sidelines while an activity takes place.
- To stand shyly apart from a dance, waiting to be asked to join in.
Where does wallflower come from?
From wall + flower.
Questions about saying wallflower
How do you pronounce wallflower?
Say WAWL-flow-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɔlˌflaʊɚ/. In British English it is /ˈwɔːlˌflaʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wallflower?
Wallflower has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAWL). Broken into parts: WAWL · flow · er.
Is wallflower 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 /ˈwɔːlˌflaʊə/ (WAWL-flow-uh).