How to pronounce wildfire
Say it like WYLD-fy-er. Wildfire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WYLD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wildfire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WYLD
- fy
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wildfire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WYLDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of wildfire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WYLD-fy-uh.
What does wildfire mean?
- A rapidly spreading fire, especially one occurring in a wildland area.
- A spreading disease of the skin, particularly erysipelas.
- Something that acts or spreads quickly and uncontrollably.
Where does wildfire come from?
Inherited from Middle English wilde fyr, wilde fire, wylde fyre, from Old English wilde fȳr.
Questions about saying wildfire
How do you pronounce wildfire?
Say WYLD-fy-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈwaɪldˌfaɪɚ/. In British English it is /ˈwaɪldˌfaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wildfire?
Wildfire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WYLD). Broken into parts: WYLD · fy · er.
Is wildfire 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 /ˈwaɪldˌfaɪə/ (WYLD-fy-uh).