What world means
The earth, people, places, or a particular area of life.
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How to pronounce world
Learn how to pronounce world in English with clear US and UK audio, simple phonetic spelling, IPA, syllables, stress, and pronunciation tips.
1. Audio
Tap US Audio or UK Audio to listen first. Use Slow 0.55x for practice.
2. Simple phonetic spelling
wurld
3. IPA transcription
/wɝːld/
4. Syllables
world
5. Stress
wurld
6. Native-language tips
wurld
- Keep the /r/ and /l/ sequence controlled; do not add an extra vowel between them.
How to say world in American English
Use the simple guide "wurld" and compare it with US IPA /wɝːld/.
How to say world in British English
Compare UK IPA /wɜːld/ with the guide "wurld", then confirm it with UK audio.
What makes this word difficult
American English has a strong rhotic /r/ in the vowel. Many British accents use /ɜː/ without the same final r coloring. World is one syllable for most speakers, even though the spelling feels crowded.
Mouth and tongue position
Round for /w/, move into the r-colored vowel, then lift the tongue for /l/ before /d/.
Common pronunciation mistakes
- Adding a second syllable, such as wor-uld.
- Replacing /r/ or /l/ so the word sounds like word or wold.
Natural example sentences
- She wants to travel around the world.
- English is used in many parts of the business world.
Similar and confusing words
Tips for language learners
japanese speakers
- Practice /r/ and /l/ separately, then join them without adding u between the consonants.
FAQ
What is the IPA for world?
A common IPA transcription is /wɝːld/. PronounceText can show US and UK variants when they differ.
Where is the stress in world?
The stress guide is wurld.