2 syllables: bar, ber. Stress on bar.
BAHR-bur
/ˈbɑɹbɚ/
barber is pronounced BAHR-bur (/ˈbɑɹbɚ/). It has two syllables (bar-ber), with the stress on "bar". Barber is a person whose occupation is cutting and styling hair. In common usage, the term may also refer to a shop that provides hair-cutting services. The word emphasizes skilled hairdressing, often with a traditional male-oriented barbering culture, though modern usage is inclusive of all genders.
Barber is a person whose occupation is cutting and styling hair. In common usage, the term may also refer to a shop that provides hair-cutting services. The word emphasizes skilled hairdressing, often with a traditional male-oriented barbering culture, though modern usage is inclusive of all genders.
"The barber angled the scissors carefully as he trimmed the neckline."
"She booked an appointment at the barber for a quick shave and a haircut."
"The old barber shop smelled of talc and warm soap, a nostalgic smell."
Barber is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈbɑːr·bər/ in US and UK English; US typically rhymes the second syllable with /ər/ (schwa + r). Stress is on the first syllable: BAR-ber. Start with an open back low vowel for /ɑː/, then a soft rhotacized /ər/ for the second syllable. Tip: avoid lengthening the final ‘r’ too much; keep a light, quick vowel to blend the two syllables. Listen to native audio: /ˈbɑːrbər/.
Common errors: misplacing /ɑː/ as a short /æ/ (BAR-bə); over-emphasizing the second syllable making it /ˈbɑːrbɚ/ with a heavier schwa; and running the /rb/ cluster together as /br/ or /rb/ without smooth transition. corrections: keep /ɑː/ long and pure, make a clean stop before the r-blend, and relax the jaw on the second syllable so it reads /ˈbɑːr.bər/ rather than /ˈbær.bər/ or /ˈbɑːrbɚ/.
In US English the /ɚ/ in the second syllable is rhotacized and the final r is pronounced. In many UK varieties, the final r is non-rhotic, giving /ˈbɑː.bə/ or /ˈbɑːbə/. Australian English often lies between: /ˈbɑːbə/ with a light rhoticity and a shorter second syllable vowel. The first syllable /ˈbɑː/ stays long and open in all. Vowel quality and rhoticity are the main differences; the US typically pronounces a stronger final /r/ than UK/AU.
Difficulties stem from the /ɑː/ vowel in the first syllable plus the /rb/ consonant cluster that must glide without introducing extra vowel sounds. Learners often insert a schwa before the final /r/ or mispronounce the cluster as /br/ or /rb/ with a hard stop. Practice by isolating the two syllables: /ˈbɑːr/ and /bər/ and then blend them smoothly, keeping the second syllable unstressed. Focus on the transition between the /r/ closure and the following vowel.
The unique aspect is balancing the long open /ɑː/ with the rhotacized /ər/ in the second syllable and the potential non-rhotic variations in some dialects. It’s also notable that the final /r/ can be either lightly pronounced in rhotic accents or nearly silent in non-rhotic contexts, affecting overall rhythm and vowel coloring. You’ll hear and produce a clear, two-beat rhythm: BAR-ber, with careful /r/ handling in the second syllable.
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Barber comes from the Old Barberus, later Old French barbier, from barbarus ‘barbarian’ in reference to beard-cutting tools and the craft of shaving. The earliest English references describe itinerant barbers who tended both hair and teeth, with barber-surgeons forming guilds in medieval Europe. The term barbirus later specialized to denote someone who cut hair, especially men’s hair and beards, with notable social status in towns. By the 16th–18th centuries, barber shops became fixed establishments with standardized services, talcum powder, straight razors, and combs. The current modern sense, focusing on hair cutting and grooming for diverse clients, evolved as professions diversified and women began frequenting barber shops. The word entered Middle English with forms like barbere, barbir, barbur, gradually standardizing to “barber” in Early Modern English; its semantic evolution traces grooming craft through urbanization and the rise of specialized shops. First known use appears in 14th–15th century English texts as barbere, with later documents denoting a practitioner who trims beards and hair, sometimes in conjunction with barber-surgeons who carried medical responsibilities. The etymology illustrates the historical connection between grooming and surgery practices in medieval guilds, and the shift toward a commercial barbering profession.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "barber" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "barber" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "barber" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "barber"
-ber sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
-US: rhotic accent; final /r/ pronounced; /ɑː/ is clear; long first vowel. -UK: non-rhotic tendency; final /r/ weak or silent; /ɑː/ maintained; second syllable often /ə/ or /ə/. -AU: mid-ground rhotic with lighter final /r/; /ɑː/ still long; vowel merging can occur.
