How to Pronounce “choir”

American (US)

/ˈkwaɪər/

British (UK)

/ˈkwaɪə/

noun — An organised group of singers.

Example: The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings.

The spelling is misleading. “choir” is one of a short list of English words whose spelling and pronunciation drifted apart and never came back together. Do not try to sound it out letter by letter — listen to it and learn it whole.

Where the stress falls. “choir” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkwaɪər/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkwaɪər/ 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 "choir" mean?

choir (noun): An organised group of singers. For example — The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings.

How do you pronounce "choir" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈkwaɪər/. British English: /ˈkwaɪə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "choir"?

/ˈkwaɪər/ in American English, /ˈkwaɪə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "choir"?

“choir” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkwaɪər/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

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