How to pronounce words
Say it like WURDZ. Words is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce words. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/wɝdz/WURDZ
UK British/wɜːdz/WURDZ
- WURDZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Words pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WURDZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of words
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WURDZ.
What does words mean?
noun
- the words that are spoken“I listened to his words very closely”
- the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number“his compositions always started with the lyrics”“he wrote both words and music”
- language that is spoken or written“he has a gift for words”“she put her thoughts into words”
Questions about saying words
How do you pronounce words?
Say WURDZ. The American pronunciation is /wɝdz/. In British English it is /wɜːdz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in words?
Words is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: WURDZ.
Is words 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 /wɜːdz/ (WURDZ).