How to pronounce welfare
Say it like WEL-fair. Welfare has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce welfare. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WEL
- fair
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Welfare pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fairGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of welfare
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WEL-fair.
What does welfare mean?
- governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need“she lives on welfare”
- something that aids or promotes well-being“for the benefit of all”
- a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous“the town was finally on the upbeat after our recent troubles”
Where does welfare come from?
From Middle English welefare, probably from the Old English phrase wel faran (“to fare well, get along successfully, prosper”) (cognate with Middle Dutch welvare (“welfare”), Middle Low German wolvare (“welfare”), Middle High German wolvar, wolfar (“welfare”)).
Questions about saying welfare
How do you pronounce welfare?
Say WEL-fair. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɛlˌfɛr/. In British English it is /ˈwɛlˌfɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in welfare?
Welfare has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEL). Broken into parts: WEL · fair.
Is welfare 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 /ˈwɛlˌfɛə/ (WEL-fair).