How to pronounce wave
Say it like WAYV. Wave is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- WAYV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wave pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAYVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of wave
American and British speakers say wave in essentially the same way: /weɪv/ in the US and /weɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: WAYV.
What does wave mean?
- one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
- a movement like that of a sudden occurrence or increase in a specified phenomenon“a wave of settlers”“troops advancing in waves”
- (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
- signal with the hands or nod“She waved to her friends”“He waved his hand hospitably”
- move or swing back and forth“She waved her gun”
- move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion“The curtains undulated”“the waves rolled towards the beach”
Where does wave come from?
Cognate with Middle High German waben (“to wave”), German wabern (“to waft”), Icelandic váfa (“to fluctuate, waver, doubt”).
Words that rhyme with wave
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of wave.
Words that sound like wave
Questions about saying wave
How do you pronounce wave?
Say WAYV. The American pronunciation is /weɪv/. In British English it is /weɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wave?
Wave is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: WAYV.
Do Americans and Brits say wave the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /weɪv/ and the British form is /weɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as wave?
Wave sounds the same as waive in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.