How to pronounce westward
Say it like WES-twerd. Westward has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce westward. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WES
- twerd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Westward pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- twerdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of westward
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WES-twud.
What does westward mean?
- Toward the west.
- The western region or countries; the west.
- Lying toward the west.
- Moving or oriented toward the west.
Where does westward come from?
From Middle English westward, from Old English westweard.
Questions about saying westward
How do you pronounce westward?
Say WES-twerd. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɛstwɚd/. In British English it is /ˈwɛstwəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in westward?
Westward has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WES). Broken into parts: WES · twerd.
Is westward 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 /ˈwɛstwəd/ (WES-twud).