How to pronounce “add”
Add is pronounced /ˈæd/. It has 1 syllable. Below: the syllable split, native audio in both accents, the mistake people actually make with this word, and every individual sound in it explained.
Syllables and stress
Split it into 1 beat. It is a single beat — one vowel, said in one push of breath.
Stress pattern O — capital letters mark the stressed beats.
“add” sound by sound
“add” is built out of 2 sounds. Say each one on its own first, slowly, then run them together at speed. Every sound links to a full guide with mouth position, the mistake learners make with it, and other words that use it.
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æDrop the jaw noticeably, push the front of the tongue low and forward, and spread the lips — it is a flat, bright, fairly long American vowel.
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dSame tongue position as /t/ — tip on the ridge behind the upper teeth — but voice the sound and release it without aspiration.
Words that rhyme with “add”
Same ending sound from the stressed vowel on — a good way to hear whether you have the vowel right:
Minimal pairs — words one sound away from “add”
Each of these differs from “add” by exactly one sound. If you can say both of a pair and hear the difference, that sound is under control:
Questions people ask about “add”
- How do you pronounce “add”?
- “add” is pronounced /ˈæd/. Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.
- How many syllables are in “add”?
- “add” has 1 syllable. The stress pattern is O.
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