How to pronounce wheelhorse
Say it like WEEL-hors. Wheelhorse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wheelhorse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WEEL
- hors
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wheelhorse pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WEELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- horsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of wheelhorse
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WEEL-haws.
What does wheelhorse mean?
- One of a team of horses which is nearest to the wheels of a carriage, as opposed to a leader or forward horse.
- A person who labors heavily for a particular cause, without being concerned about recognition.
Where does wheelhorse come from?
From wheel + horse. Sense 2 (“person who labors heavily for a cause”) is from the fact that a horse nearest to the wheels of a carriage that it is drawing does much of the pulling work.
Questions about saying wheelhorse
How do you pronounce wheelhorse?
Say WEEL-hors. The American pronunciation is /ˈwilhɔrs/. In British English it is /ˈwiːlhɔːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wheelhorse?
Wheelhorse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEEL). Broken into parts: WEEL · hors.
Is wheelhorse 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 /ˈwiːlhɔːs/ (WEEL-haws).