How to Pronounce “Gloucester”

American (US)

/ˈɡlɑːstər/

British (UK)

/ˈɡlɒstə/

Australian (AU)

/ˈɡlɔs.tə/

proper noun — A cathedral city and local government district of Gloucestershire, England, on the river Severn, near the border with Wales.

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

Gloucester (proper noun): A cathedral city and local government district of Gloucestershire, England, on the river Severn, near the border with Wales.

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

American English: /ˈɡlɑːstər/. British English: /ˈɡlɒstə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Gloucester"?

/ˈɡlɑːstər/ in American English, /ˈɡlɒstə/ in British English, /ˈɡlɔs.tə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Gloucester"?

“Gloucester” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɡlɑːstər/ 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.

• UK place names