Four Pronunciation | Pronounce.tv

four

fawr

/fɔɹ/

four is pronounced fawr (/fɔɹ/). It has one syllable (four), with the stress on "four". As a noun, adjective, the cardinal number equivalent to the sum of three plus one; the number following three and preceding five. As a noun: the digit or symbol representing this number, or a group of four people or things.

noun, adjectiveThe cardinal number equivalent to the sum of three plus one; the number following three and preceding five. As a noun: the digit or symbol representing this number, or a group of four people or things.

In US English, you pronounce /fɔːr/ as a rounded "aw" sound followed by a clear “r”; you might hear a rhotic, rhoticity means the /r/ is pronounced at the end.

In UK (General British), you often hear a non-rhotic version like /fɔː/ with a longer, pure vowel, and the final /r/ is not vocalized unless followed by a vowel in connected speech.

In Australian English, you typically maintain the /fɔː/ vowel with a subtle broadening and a soft, often non-rhotic ending in careful speech, but you’ll hear a light /r/ in rhotic contexts or when linking to a following word.

Vowel focus: all three centers around a back rounded /ɔː/; the main difference is whether the final /r/ is pronounced (rhotic) and how strongly the vowel is lengthened in each accent.

Consonant nuance: US tends to emphasize the /r/ strongly, UK and Australian may reduce or elide the /r/ in isolation, but link to next word can reintroduce the /r/ sound.

Practical tip: in careful speech, aim for /fɔːr/ in US, /fɔː/ in UK, and /fɔː/ (with potential light linking) in Australia, adjusting the final r based on whether you’re rhotic or non-rhotic in context.

How You Can Learn To Say "four" Better Introduction: mastering the word four You already know four is the number after three, but pronouncing it clearly can feel deceptively tricky. The challenge isn’t just the /f/ at the start; it’s the precise vowel and the quick, light R that follows in many accents. This guide gives you expert-level, actionable steps to nail /fɔːr/ in any context—careful with the vowel length, the rhotic ending, and the subtle timing that makes you sound natural and confident when you say four. Common pronunciation challenges and how to tackle them
Vowel clarity under speed: The /ɔː/ in four often shortens or shifts toward a pseudo-schwa when spoken quickly or before a consonant cluster. Practice by isolating the vowel, then extending and guiding it into the R.
Rhotic timing: The Scottish and some American accents may have a more pronounced R, while many non-rhotic dialects reduce or link the R. Aim for a clean rhotic release that remains audible but not exaggerated.
Lip and jaw posture: The /f/ requires light upper-teeth contact with a relaxed lower lip. The /ɔː/ demands a rounded, open jaw without overwide mouth widening. The final /r/ should be a subtle, energized retroflex or bunched R depending on your dialect.
Final consonant release: In many dialects, the /r/ is vocalic and lightly spoken. Don’t cut off the vowel short; let the /ɔː/ lead smoothly into the rhotic release.
Coarticulation: In connected speech, four often merges with following words (e.g., “for our,” “fourteen”). Practice with linking and blending to avoid a clipped or separated sound. Accent differences to respect
General American: Clear /fɔːɹ/ with a pronounced rhotic; keep the vowel steady and the R firm.
British English (Received Pronunciation): The /ɔː/ may be longer and less rounded, with a softer R or non-rhotic tendency in some contexts; practice both with and without a strong R depending on target style.
Australian/New Zealand: The /ɔː/ can be broader; ensure the lips are rounded but not overemphasized, and the R is light if present. Practice techniques and exercises
Isolation drill: Repeat 60 seconds of slow, controlled /fɔːr/ with precise mouth positions. Use a mirror to check lip shape and jaw openness.
Vowel conditioning: Hold /ɔː/ in a word frame (e.g., “door, pour, more”) and compare tonal quality. Record and compare to native models.
Rhotic release drill: Practice “for not” vs. “for a” sequences to train the soft vs. crisp R timing.
Minimal pair contrasts: four vs. fore, for, fur. Listen for subtle vowel and R differences; reproduce exact tongue height and lip rounding.
Slow-to-fast ladder: Start at a deliberate pace, then accelerate while maintaining vowel integrity and clear R. Phonetic insights and practical tips
IPA anchor: /fɔːr/ — keep the /ɔː/ long and the /r/ lightly rolled or bunched, depending on dialect.
Tongue position: Tip behind lower front teeth for /f/, blade high for /ɔː/ with the tongue lowered slightly; rounded lips for /ɔː/.
Breath management: Gentle, steady breath helps maintain an even /ɔː/ and prevents a rushed consonant. Resources and daily practice
Listen-and-imitate: Use high-quality speech samples from announcers who articulate /ɔː/ distinctly before rhotics.
Record and critique: Compare your pronunciation to a native standard; note where the vowel or R feels rushed or overly emphasized.
Quick daily routine: 5 minutes of isolation drills, 5 minutes of vowel conditioning, 5 minutes of minimal pair practice, 5 minutes of connected speech with short phrases (e.g., “four apples,” “four of us,” “four friends”).
Targeted apps and exercises: Use phrase practice focused on “four” in different contexts and tempos. Daily practice plan
Monday–Wednesday: isolate vowels and rhotics, record, evaluate.
Thursday–Friday: breath and tempo control, practice linked phrases.
Weekend: long-form phrases and real-world reading or speaking tasks incorporating four naturally.

four

How do you pronounce four?

How is four used in a sentence?

Similar Meaning (Synonyms)

Pronunciation Practice

Rhymes