How to pronounce wardrobe
Say it like WOR-drohb. Wardrobe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wardrobe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WOR
- drohb
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wardrobe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- drohbGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of wardrobe
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: WAW-drohb.
What does wardrobe mean?
- a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
- collection of clothing belonging to one person
- collection of costumes belonging to a theatrical company
Where does wardrobe come from?
From Middle English warderobe, from Old Northern French warderoube, wardereube, northern variants of Old French garderobe, from garder (“to keep safe”) + robe.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying wardrobe
How do you pronounce wardrobe?
Say WOR-drohb. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɔrˌdroʊb/. In British English it is /ˈwɔːˌdrəʊb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wardrobe?
Wardrobe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WOR). Broken into parts: WOR · drohb.
Is wardrobe 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 /ˈwɔːˌdrəʊb/ (WAW-drohb).