How to Pronounce “iron”

American (US)

/ˈaɪərn/

British (UK)

/ˈaɪən/

Australian (AU)

/ˈɑɪ.ən/

noun — A common, inexpensive metal, silvery grey when untarnished, that rusts, is attracted by magnets, and is used in making steel: a chemical element having atomic number 26 and symbol Fe.

Example: Today we studied about metals — including iron — at school.

The spelling is misleading. “iron” 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. “iron” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈaɪərn/ 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. /ˈaɪərn/ 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 "iron" mean?

iron (noun): A common, inexpensive metal, silvery grey when untarnished, that rusts, is attracted by magnets, and is used in making steel: a chemical element having atomic number 26 and symbol Fe. For example — Today we studied about metals — including iron — at school.

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

American English: /ˈaɪərn/. British English: /ˈaɪən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "iron"?

/ˈaɪərn/ in American English, /ˈaɪən/ in British English, /ˈɑɪ.ən/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "iron"?

“iron” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈaɪərn/ 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.