How to Pronounce “macabre”

American (US)

/məˈkɑːbrə/

British (UK)

/məˈkɑːbə/

adjective — Disturbing because concerned with death and injury.

Example: The story takes a macabre turn in the second act.

Synonyms: gruesome, grim

A loanword from French. The final -re is not an English “-er”: the French pronunciation ends on a light “-bruh”, though “muh-KAH-ber” is established in English.

Where the stress falls. “macabre” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /məˈkɑːbrə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /məˈkɑːbrə/ 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 "macabre" mean?

macabre (adjective): Disturbing because concerned with death and injury. For example — The story takes a macabre turn in the second act.

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

American English: /məˈkɑːbrə/. British English: /məˈkɑːbə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "macabre"?

/məˈkɑːbrə/ in American English, /məˈkɑːbə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "macabre"?

“macabre” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /məˈkɑːbrə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.