How to Pronounce “avant-garde”

American (US)

/əˌvɑːnt ˈɡɑːrd/

British (UK)

/ˌævɒ̃ ˈɡɑːd/

adjective — New and experimental, ahead of accepted taste.

Example: The gallery shows avant-garde work almost exclusively.

Synonyms: experimental, innovative

Antonyms: conventional

The final e is silent. The transcription /əˌvɑːnt ˈɡɑːrd/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “avant-garde” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “avant-garde” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /əˌvɑːnt ˈɡɑːrd/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /əˌvɑːnt ˈɡɑːrd/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "avant-garde" mean?

avant-garde (adjective): New and experimental, ahead of accepted taste. For example — The gallery shows avant-garde work almost exclusively.

How do you pronounce "avant-garde" in American vs British English?

American English: /əˌvɑːnt ˈɡɑːrd/. British English: /ˌævɒ̃ ˈɡɑːd/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "avant-garde"?

/əˌvɑːnt ˈɡɑːrd/ in American English, /ˌævɒ̃ ˈɡɑːd/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "avant-garde"?

“avant-garde” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /əˌvɑːnt ˈɡɑːrd/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.