How to Pronounce Dour

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

dour

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/ˈdaʊə/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “dour”

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

Sounds exactly like: dauer, dower — easy to mix up when writing.

What does dour mean?

adjective

  1. Stern, harsh and forbidding.
  2. Unyielding and obstinate.

Synonyms

dejectedgloomymelancholicsullenforbiddingharshseverestern

Hear “dour” 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 dour

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

glowerlourpowerempowerscourbowersourtowerdevouroverpowercowerbrainpower

Related words

grimmorosemoodyglumsaturninesullenill-naturedstubborn

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "dour"?▾

"Dour" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "dour"?▾

The IPA transcription of "dour" is /ˈdaʊə/.

What does "dour" mean?▾

Dour: Stern, harsh and forbidding.

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