How to pronounce wire
Say it like WY-er. Wire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WY
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WYSay this part loudest and longest. 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 wire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WY-uh.
What does wire mean?
- ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
- a metal conductor that carries electricity over a distance
- the finishing line on a racetrack
- provide with electrical circuits“wire the addition to the house”
- send cables, wires, or telegrams
- fasten with wire“The columns were wired to the beams for support”
Where does wire come from?
From Middle English wir, wyr, from Old English wīr (“wire, metal thread, wire-ornament”), from Proto-Germanic *wīraz (“wire”), from Proto-Indo-European *weh₁iros (“a twist, thread, cord, wire”), from *weh₁y- (“to turn, twist, weave, plait”).
Words that rhyme with wire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of wire.
Questions about saying wire
How do you pronounce wire?
Say WY-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈwaɪɚ/. In British English it is /ˈwaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wire?
Wire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WY). Broken into parts: WY · er.
Is wire 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 /ˈwaɪə/ (WY-uh).