3 syllables: bra, ver, y. Stress on bra.
BRAY-vur-ee
/ˈbɹeɪvɚi/
bravery is pronounced BRAY-vur-ee (/ˈbɹeɪvɚi/). It has three syllables (bra-ver-y), with the stress on "bra". Bravery is the quality of facing danger, difficulty, or pain with courage and resolve. It often implies moral or physical courage under pressure, sometimes in the absence of certainty. Used broadly to describe acts, attitudes, or dispositions that demonstrate fearlessness in challenging situations.
Bravery is the quality of facing danger, difficulty, or pain with courage and resolve. It often implies moral or physical courage under pressure, sometimes in the absence of certainty. Used broadly to describe acts, attitudes, or dispositions that demonstrate fearlessness in challenging situations.
- Common challenges: 1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable (bruh-VE-ree). 2) Over-pronouncing the middle vowel as a full 'er'—use a quick schwa /ə/ in /və/. 3) Ending with an overly long /iː/ instead of a short /ɪ/ or /i/; aim for a brief, light final vowel. - Correction tips: practice slow, emphasize BRĒ with a finger tap or beat, glide into /və/, then clean /ri/ with a short, clipped release. - Practice with minimal pairs: brave vs bravery helps your muscle memory.
"Her bravery during the rescue earned her the community's admiration."
"In the face of illness, his bravery never waned, and he kept a hopeful outlook."
"The soldiers showed remarkable bravery under heavy fire."
Say /ˈbreɪ.və.ɹi/ (US) or /ˈbreɪ.və.ri/ (UK/AU). Start with the stressed first syllable BRAY, then schwa in the second syllable, and end with a clear EE or EE-like syllable. The middle /v/ is a light, unobtrusive labiodental fricative. Ensure the final /i/ is a quick, light vowel, not a long 'ee'.
Common errors: 1) Under-stressing the first syllable (brà-vers) or moving stress to the second syllable. 2) Mispronouncing the second syllable as a full 'er' rather than a schwa; use / və /. 3) Vocalizing the final /i/ as a full 'ee' or adding an extra vowel sound. Correction: keep stress on BRĒ, use /ˈbreɪ.və.ɹi/ with a quick, light final /i/.
In US English, /ˈbreɪ.və.ɹi/ with a rhotic /ɹ/ at the end. In UK (non-rhotic tendencies may appear in some varieties), final /ɹ/ may be less prominent; many speakers realize /ˈbreɪ.və.ri/ with an 'r'-less coda. Australian generally mirrors US pronunciation, with a strong rhotic influence in careful speech and the final vowel often centralized to /ɪ/ or /iː/. Overall main differences: rhoticity and subtle vowel quality rather than major phoneme changes.
It’s challenging due to the sequence BR- a diphthong in the first syllable /eɪ/ (voice-loudness shift), followed by a light /və/ with a schwa, and a final /ri/ that can drift toward /riː/. Balancing the stressed initial syllable with a fast, unstressed middle, then crisp final vowel requires precise timing and mouth posture. Practicing the transitions from /breɪ/ to /və/ to /ri/ helps stabilize the rhythm.
Is the /r/ at the end of bravery ever silent? In most American, British, and Australian speaking styles, the final /ri/ contains an audible /ɹ/ in rhotic accents or a syllabic vowel in non-rhotic contexts. In careful speech, you’ll keep the /ɹ/; in casual UK speech you might hear a reduced or non-rhotic final.
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ is strong; ensure /v/ is labiodental and not approximant confusion. Vowel /eɪ/ is a distinct diphthong; don’t turn it into /e/ or /ɛ/. - UK: more non-rhotic tendencies; final /ɹ/ may be muted; keep schwa in the middle; ensure /ɪ/ or /i/ in the final syllable is light. - AU: tends to be rhotic with clear /ɹ/ in careful speech; watch vowel quality and final vowel length. - IPA references: /ˈbreɪ.və.ɹi/ (US), /ˈbreɪ.və.ri/ (UK, AU). - Tips: use minimal pairs to practice rhotacization /ɹ/; record yourself for vowel quality and speed.
Bravery comes from the Old French word braverie, based on braver (to display roughness or boldness). It entered Middle English as bravery in the sense of boldness or audacity, later broadening to courage in the face of danger. The link to French bravoure (valor or boldness) parallels similar Romance roots tied to bravery, bravado, and brave. The noun form emerged in the 14th–15th centuries, gradually stabilizing into the modern sense of courageous conduct, often in the context of moral bravery or conspicuous acts of risk. Throughout its history, bravery has carried connotations of intentional risk-taking for a cause, rather than mere lack of fear. In contemporary usage, bravery frequently emphasizes moral courage and resilience in adversity, while still retaining the sense of physical risk where applicable.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "bravery" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "bravery" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "bravery"
-ery sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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