How to Pronounce Bead

To pronounce "bead", say BEAD — one syllable, IPA /biːd/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

bead

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/biːd/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “bead”

"bead" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with accede and concede, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: bede, beede — easy to mix up when writing.

What does bead mean?

noun

  1. Prayer, later especially with a rosary.
  2. Each in a string of small balls making up the rosary or paternoster.

verb

  1. To form into a bead.

    “The raindrops beaded on the car's waxed finish.”

  2. To apply beads to.

    “She spent the morning beading the gown.”

Hear “bead” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with bead

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

accedeconcedeimpedecedeleadheedprecedeneedseedsupersedesucceedgreed

Related words

beadworkdropastragalpearlpointcounterfoilkeepermarvel

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "bead"?▾

"Bead" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "bead"?▾

The IPA transcription of "bead" is /biːd/.

What does "bead" mean?▾

Bead: Prayer, later especially with a rosary.

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