2 syllables: De, mur. Stress on mur.
dim-UR
/dɪˈmɝ/
Demur is pronounced dim-UR (/dɪˈmɝ/). It has two syllables (De-mur), with the stress on "mur". Demur is a noun meaning a formal objection or hesitation, often raised in a discussion or legal setting. It implies a reluctance to accept or comply, based on doubt or objection, rather than outright denial. In usage, it signals a careful, caveated position rather than a decisive stance.
nounDemur is a noun meaning a formal objection or hesitation, often raised in a discussion or legal setting. It implies a reluctance to accept or comply, based on doubt or objection, rather than outright denial. In usage, it signals a careful, caveated position rather than a decisive stance.
"She offered a demur to the proposal, citing concerns about cost and feasibility."
"The juror’s demur indicated uncertainty about the evidence presented."
"Although agreeing in principle, he raised a demur regarding the timeline."
Pronounced di-MUR, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /dɪˈmɜːr/. Start with a short 'd' sound, then a schwa-like vowel in the first syllable before the stressed 'mur' with a rhotacized or rounded 'ɜː' vowel depending on accent. Mouth position: tip of tongue near the alveolar ridge for /d/, then a relaxed mid-back tongue for /ɜː/ and a trailing lip round for /r/. Audio examples mirror standard dictionary pronunciations—listen for the clear contrast between the unstressed first syllable and the stressed second syllable.
Common errors: (1) Pronouncing it as 'de-moor' with a long /oː/ vowel; correct is /ɜːr/ in non-rhotic accents and /ɜːr/ with rhoticity depending on speaker. (2) Stress misplacement, saying de-MUR vs. DEM-ur; keep primary stress on the second syllable. (3) Dropping the /r/ in non-rhotic variants; in rhotic accents you should articulate the /r/ in /mɜːr/. Corrective tips: practice with minimal pair: mur vs more; exaggerate the 'mur' syllable while keeping the first syllable reduced. Use a listening drill with dictionary audio and shadowing to align timing.
In General American, /dɪˈmɜ˞r/ with rhotic /r/ and a clear 'ɜ˞' vowel; second syllable stressed. In UK Received Pronunciation, /dɪˈmɜː/ with non-rhotic /r/ (often not pronounced) and a longer /ɜː/ vowel; stress remains on second syllable. Australian English also features /dɪˈmɜː/ with variable rhoticity but often closer to /ɪˈmɜː/ sound; vowel quality tends toward a centralized mid back vowel, and the final /r/ is commonly non-rhotic in many contexts. Overall, the key difference is rhoticity and vowel length/quality of the /ɜː/ in the stressed syllable.
Three main challenges: (1) The /ɜː/ vowel in the stressed syllable can be unfamiliar for learners whose first language lacks a mid-central or open-mid back vowel. (2) Rhoticity: whether or not the final /r/ is pronounced changes the timing and mouth shape, especially for non-rhotic speakers. (3) Stress pattern: correct placement on the second syllable may feel unnatural if your L1 is a language with even stress or different syllable-timed rhythm. Practicing the vowel, the r-colour, and the stress with native audio helps a lot.
Demur often implies a formal objection or cautious hesitation; there isn't a silent letter in standard pronunciations. The key is the 'mur' with /ɜːr/ and the secondary, shorter first syllable /dɪ-/. Make sure you don’t reduce the second syllable to a schwa; keep it clearly pronounced as /ɜːr/ or /ɜ˞/ depending on accent. Use dictionary audio for confirmation and practice shadowing to align intonation with formal usage.
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Demur comes from the French demourer, meaning 'to refuse' or 'to delay', from de- (expressing reversal) + mourir (to die, in the sense of delaying or withholding). In English by the 15th century it took on the sense of raising an objection, especially in legal or formal contexts. The spelling in English historically reflected its French origin, with the modern form demur established by the 17th century. The root mour includes the idea of staying back or delaying judgment, which evolved into the noun and verb senses related to hesitating or opposing a claim. First known use in English appears in legal and formal debates, where a demur was a procedural objection rather than a substantive argument. Over time, ‘demur’ broadened beyond law to general reluctance or hesitation in response to proposals or statements, maintaining its formal, cautious connotation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Demur" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Demur" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Demur"
-our sounds
-mor sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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