How to Pronounce “mortgage”

American (US)

/ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/

British (UK)

/ˈmɔːɡɪdʒ/

Australian (AU)

/ˈmoːɡɪd͡ʒ/

noun — A loan secured against property, repaid over many years.

Example: They paid off the mortgage in nineteen years.

The spelling is misleading. “mortgage” 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.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “mortgage” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “mortgage” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/ 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.

What does "mortgage" mean?

mortgage (noun): A loan secured against property, repaid over many years. For example — They paid off the mortgage in nineteen years.

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

American English: /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/. British English: /ˈmɔːɡɪdʒ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "mortgage"?

/ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/ in American English, /ˈmɔːɡɪdʒ/ in British English, /ˈmoːɡɪd͡ʒ/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "mortgage"?

“mortgage” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/ 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.

• Silent T words