How to Pronounce Now

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

now

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

3

Letters

/naʊ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “now”

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

Sounds exactly like: gnau — easy to mix up when writing.

What does now mean?

noun

  1. The present time.

    “Now is the right time.”

  2. (often with "the") The state of not paying attention to the future or the past.

    “She is living in the now.”

adjective

  1. Present; current.
  2. Fashionable; popular; up to date; current.

    “I think this band's sound is very now.”

adverb

  1. At the present time.

    “Now I am six.”

  2. (sentence) Used to introduce a point, a qualification of what has previously been said, a remonstration or a rebuke.

    “Now stop that, Jimmy!”

Synonyms

here and now

Hear “now” 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 now

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

endowbowallowthouavowbrowplowvowanyhowcowsowdisavow

Related words

nowadaysinstantlyimmediatelytodayforthwithdirectlystraightaway

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "now"?▾

"Now" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "now"?▾

The IPA transcription of "now" is /naʊ/.

What does "now" mean?▾

Now: The present time.

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