How to pronounce zounds
Say it like ZOWNDZ. Zounds 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 zounds. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ZOWNDZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Zounds pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ZOWNDZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of zounds
American and British speakers say zounds in essentially the same way: /zaʊndz/ in the US and /zaʊndz/ in the UK.
British respelling: ZOWNDZ.
What does zounds mean?
- Expressing anger, surprise, assertion etc.
Where does zounds come from?
Minced form of God's wounds, with reference to the wounds from Christ's crucifixion.
Words that rhyme with zounds
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of zounds.
Questions about saying zounds
How do you pronounce zounds?
Say ZOWNDZ. The American pronunciation is /zaʊndz/. In British English it is /zaʊndz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in zounds?
Zounds is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: ZOWNDZ.
Do Americans and Brits say zounds the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /zaʊndz/ and the British form is /zaʊndz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.