How to pronounce wiry
Say it like WIR-ee. Wiry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wiry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIR
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wiry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of wiry
American and British speakers say wiry in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪri/ in the US and /ˈwaɪri/ in the UK.
British respelling: WY-ree.
What does wiry mean?
- Resembling wire.“My hair was very wiry in my teens.”
- Thin, muscular and flexible.“Don't fight him. He may be small, but he's wiry.”
Where does wiry come from?
From wire + -y.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with wiry
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of wiry.
Words that sound like wiry
Questions about saying wiry
How do you pronounce wiry?
Say WIR-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪri/. In British English it is /ˈwaɪri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wiry?
Wiry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIR). Broken into parts: WIR · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say wiry the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪri/ and the British form is /ˈwaɪri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as wiry?
Wiry sounds the same as weary in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.