How to Pronounce “gnaw”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
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- American (US)
- /nɔː/
- British (UK)
- /nɔː/
What “gnaw” means
verb — To bite at something persistently, or to trouble someone continuously.
Example: Doubt gnawed at her for months.
Synonyms: chew, nibble
Pronunciation Notes
The g is silent. Word-initial gn- is pronounced as a plain /n/ in English. Begin “gnaw” on the n and the g never surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "gnaw" mean?
gnaw (verb): To bite at something persistently, or to trouble someone continuously. For example — Doubt gnawed at her for months.
How do you pronounce "gnaw" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "gnaw", /nɔː/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "gnaw"?
/nɔː/ in American English, /nɔː/ in British English.
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