How to pronounce yerk
Say it like YURK. Yerk 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 yerk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- YURK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Yerk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- YURKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of yerk
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: YURK.
What does yerk mean?
- To throw or thrust with a sudden, smart movement; to kick or strike suddenly; to jerk.
- To bind or tie with a jerk.
Where does yerk come from?
From Middle English ȝerken (“to move suddenly, excite, bind tightly, attack”), from Old English ġearcian (“to prepare, make ready”), compare ġearc (“active, quick”).
Words that rhyme with yerk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of yerk.
Questions about saying yerk
How do you pronounce yerk?
Say YURK. The American pronunciation is /jɝk/. In British English it is /jɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in yerk?
Yerk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: YURK.
Is yerk 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 /jɜːk/ (YURK).