How to pronounce wreck
Say it like REK. Wreck is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wreck. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wreck pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of wreck
American and British speakers say wreck in essentially the same way: /rɛk/ in the US and /rɛk/ in the UK.
British respelling: REK.
What does wreck mean?
- something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation“the house was a wreck when they bought it”“thanks to that quack I am a human wreck”
- an accident that destroys a ship at sea
- a serious accident (usually involving one or more vehicles)“they are still investigating the crash of the TWA plane”
- smash or break forcefully“The kid busted up the car”
Where does wreck come from?
From Middle English wrek, from Anglo-Norman wrek, from Old Norse *wrek (whence Norwegian rek, Icelandic rek, Swedish vrak, Danish vrag), from Proto-Germanic *wrekaną (“to pursue”, whence Old English wrecan (English wreak), Old Saxon wrekan,
Words that rhyme with wreck
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of wreck.
Questions about saying wreck
How do you pronounce wreck?
Say REK. The American pronunciation is /rɛk/. In British English it is /rɛk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wreck?
Wreck is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: REK.
Do Americans and Brits say wreck the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɛk/ and the British form is /rɛk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.