2 syllables: bur, lap. Stress on bur.
BUR-lap
/ˈbɝˌlæp/
burlap is pronounced BUR-lap (/ˈbɝˌlæp/). It has two syllables (bur-lap), with the stress on "bur". Burlap is a coarse, woven fabric typically made from jute or hemp. It is rugged and inexpensive, often used for sacks, sacks, or outer coverings. In pronunciation terms, burlap ends with a light “p” sound and often features a short, unstressed first syllable, giving it a clipped, casual cadence.
Burlap is a coarse, woven fabric typically made from jute or hemp. It is rugged and inexpensive, often used for sacks, sacks, or outer coverings. In pronunciation terms, burlap ends with a light “p” sound and often features a short, unstressed first syllable, giving it a clipped, casual cadence.
- Underpronouncing the final /p/: ensure a crisp, unreleased stop by gently releasing the lips without a puff of air. - Turning BUR into an overly long vowel: keep /ɜːr/ represented with a single, steady vowel before /l/. - Muddling the /l/ and /æ/: keep a light, alveolar /l/ and avoid a heavy, vowel-like /l/. - Voice and aspiration: avoid extra voicing on /p/. Practice saying with gentle lips closure and quick release.
"The burlap sacks rustled as they were loaded onto the truck."
"She carried a burlap tote to the farmers market."
"The old burlap curtain added a rustic charm to the room."
You say BUR-lap, with primary stress on BUR. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈbɜːr.læp/. The first syllable uses /ɜːr/ (like 'fur' without the 'f'), then a light, short /l/ onset before /æ/ in the second syllable, ending with a clear but unreleased /p/. Picture your mouth: start with an open-mid back-central vowel, bring the tongue to a relaxed /l/ position for the second syllable, and finish with a quick /p/ bite without a puff of air.
Common errors: pronouncing as a single syllable BUR-lap or BUR-lup; misplacing the /l/ or making the second syllable too long. Correction: keep two-syllable rhythm with primary stress on the first syllable, ensure /l/ is light and syllabic-free, and end with a crisp, unreleased /p/. Practice with minimal pairs like BUR-lap vs. BUR-lab (not a real word here, but useful for voicing) to train stop closure and avoid vowel lengthening.
In US/UK/AU, the core BUR-lap remains, but rhoticity matters: US/ AU accents show a rhotic /ɜːr/ combination; UK non-rhotic variants may render /ˈbɜː.læp/ with a slightly shorter /ɜː/ and crisper /p/. Australians typically keep rhotics in careful speech but may reduce the vowel length a touch. The second syllable /læp/ stays short in all. Overall, the main difference is vowel quality and rhoticity rather than stress changes.
Two main challenges: the /ɜːr/ cluster in the first syllable and the final /p/ with a tight lip closure. For many speakers, the /ɜːr/ combination can blur into /ɜː/ or /ɜ/; keep the tongue high-mid and retract the tip slightly for the rhotic sound. The final /p/ should be a quick, unaspirated closing release; avoid adding extra air after the release. Practicing the two-syllable rhythm helps stabilize the word.
Yes. Burlap is often pronounced with two even syllables, BUR-lap, with emphasis on the first. The /l/ in the middle should be light and alveolar, not dark or heavy. Some speakers insert a glottal stop before the final /p/ in rapid speech, but it's not standard. Maintaining a clean /æ/ in the second syllable helps preserve the word’s crisp, rustic character.
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- US: rhotic /ɜːr/ with a clear /r/ coloring; keep vowel longer but not dragging. - UK: shorter /ɜː/ and crisper /p/, non-rhotic tendency; /r/ less prominent in post-vocalic position. - AU: similar to US but with more vowel reduction in casual speech; maintain rhoticity in careful speech. IPA references: /ˈbɜːr.læp/ (US/UK/AU).
Burlap derives from the Hindi word burlāb, meaning a coarse fabric. The term moved into English via Dutch burlap or French burlap, reflecting trade routes in the 16th–18th centuries. The root predate modern synthetics and is linked to jute and hemp fibers used to create sturdy, inexpensive textiles. Early usage described sacks and bags for grain and produce. By the 19th century, burlap (also called hessian in some regions) became a standard material for packaging in shipping and farming. The evolution reflects industrialization and global trade, with regional name variants—burlap in American English and hessian in British contexts—still in use today. In American English, burlap particularly denotes the coarser, untreated fabric, while “hessian” can refer to similar textiles used in bags and upholstery. Overall, the word signifies practicality and rustic texture, rooted in natural plant fibers and traditional manufacturing processes.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "burlap" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "burlap" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "burlap"
-arb sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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