How to Pronounce “cupboard”

American (US)

/ˈkʌbərd/

British (UK)

/ˈkʌbəd/

Australian (AU)

/ˈkɐbəd/

noun — A piece of furniture or recess with a door, used for storage.

Example: The plates are in the cupboard above the sink.

Where the stress falls. “cupboard” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkʌbərd/ 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. /ˈkʌbərd/ 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 "cupboard" mean?

cupboard (noun): A piece of furniture or recess with a door, used for storage. For example — The plates are in the cupboard above the sink.

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

American English: /ˈkʌbərd/. British English: /ˈkʌbəd/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "cupboard"?

/ˈkʌbərd/ in American English, /ˈkʌbəd/ in British English, /ˈkɐbəd/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "cupboard"?

“cupboard” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkʌbərd/ 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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