How to pronounce ward
Say it like WORD. Ward is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- WORD
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ward pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WORDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of ward
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WAWD.
What does ward mean?
- The action of a watchman; monitoring, surveillance (usually in phrases keep ward etc.)
- Guardianship, especially of a child or prisoner.
- An enchantment or spell placed over a designated area or social unit, that prevents any tresspasser from entering; approaching; or even being able to locate said protected premises or demographic.
- To keep in safety, to watch over, to guard.
- To defend, to protect.
- To fend off, to repel, to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches. (usually followed by off)
Where does ward come from?
From Middle English warde, from Old English weard (“keeper, watchman, guard, guardian, protector; lord, king; possessor”), from Proto-Germanic *warduz (“guard, keeper”), from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to heed, defend”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- hospital ward
- barbara ward
- baroness jackson of lodsworth
- guard
Words that rhyme with ward
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ward.
Questions about saying ward
How do you pronounce ward?
Say WORD. The American pronunciation is /wɔrd/. In British English it is /wɔːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ward?
Ward is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: WORD.
Is ward 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 /wɔːd/ (WAWD).