2 syllables: har, vey. Stress on har.
HAHR-vee
/ˈhɑɹvi/
harvey is pronounced HAHR-vee (/ˈhɑɹvi/). It has two syllables (har-vey), with the stress on "har". Harvey is a proper noun often used as a personal name. It can also appear as a surname or place name. In everyday language, it’s typically pronounced as two syllables with a stress on the first, and it’s recognizable in both casual and formal contexts when referring to a person or a named entity.
Harvey is a proper noun often used as a personal name. It can also appear as a surname or place name. In everyday language, it’s typically pronounced as two syllables with a stress on the first, and it’s recognizable in both casual and formal contexts when referring to a person or a named entity.
- You may flatten the first vowel, producing /ˈæːrvi/ instead of /ˈhɑːrvi/. Focus on a broad open back vowel in the first syllable. - Don’t add an extra syllable or glide after /i/; keep it as two clean syllables HAR-vey. - Some learners overemphasize the /r/ sound in non-rhotic dialects; keep a light, controlled rhotic if your region expects it, or a slight /ɹ/ delta in rhotic varieties. - Common mispronunciation is substituting /v/ with /f/ or /b/ in the second syllable; practice maintaining a voiced labiodental fricative /v/ and a clean /i/ vowel.
"Harvey invited us to his birthday party."
"The meteorologist mentioned Hurricane Harvey in the briefing."
"Harvey Dent is a character in the Batman universe."
Harvey is pronounced with two syllables: HAR-vey. In IPA it’s /ˈhɑːrvi/ in US and UK pronunciations, with the first syllable stressed. In Australian speech you’ll hear /ˈhɑːvi/ as well. The key is the open back lax vowel in the first syllable (like 'spa' without a final r-colored vowel) followed by a clear /v/ in the second syllable. Practice by saying 'HAR' fully, then quickly add 'vey' with a light 'v' onset and a long e-like vowel for the final sound in many accents: -har-vey.
Common mistakes include flattening the first vowel to a short, clipped /æ/ as in 'hat' and overemphasizing a strong rhotic color on the second syllable. To fix: keep /h/ clear, maintain /ɑː/ in the first syllable (not /æ/), and ensure the second syllable starts with a clean /v/ followed by a short /i/ sound. Don’t glide the vowel into an extra syllable; keep it tight on two syllables HAR-vey.
US/UK mostly share /ˈhɑːrvi/ with the first syllable carrying primary stress. The Australian accent often uses a similar /ˈhɑːvi/, but vowels can be slightly shorter and the final vowel more centralized. In some US dialects, the /r/ can be less rhotic in non-rhotic varieties; in those cases you may hear a subtler /ɹ/ or even a syllabic r. Overall, the main variation is vowel length and rhotic strength, not the consonant core.
The challenge lies in balancing the two syllables with a clear /r/ followed by a crisp /v/ and an unstressed trailing /i/. For non-native speakers, the American/UK /ɑː/ vowel can be tough if your native language has a lower or rounded vowel. Also, keeping the stress on the first syllable while not making the second syllable sound like an afterthought requires precise timing and mouth positioning.
A subtle but important feature is the length of the first vowel. In many accents, the /ɑː/ is longer and more open than you might assume, creating a clear boundary before the /r/ in 'HAR-'. Some learners also under-pronounce the final /i/ or produce a schwa-like sound; aiming for a clean /i/ or /iː/ creates naturalness across accents.
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- US: Strong rhotic /ɹ/ coloring and a clear /ɑː/ in the first syllable; ensure your mouth opens wide for /ɑː/ and keep the /v/ crisp in the second syllable. - UK: Similar to US with slightly less rhotic influence in some regions; the second syllable should be a straightforward /vi/ or /viː/ depending on the speaker. - AU: Vowels can be a touch centralized; keep /ɑː/ long and the final vowel a bright /i/; ensure you don’t soften the /v/ into a /w/ sound. - IPA references: US /ˈhɑːrvi/, UK /ˈhɑːvi/, AU /ˈhɑːvi/.
Harvey originates as a given name derived from the Old French name Hervei or Herve, ultimately from the Breton name waroc’h or waroc, connected to the Germanic elements harja/heri meaning ‘army’ or ‘army ruler’ and wig meaning ‘warrior’. The Norman influence in Britain popularized Harvey as a masculine given name by the Middle Ages, often used to honor saints or local leaders with names of Breton or Frankish origin. The name entered English-speaking usage widely and over time became a common surname as families adopted patronymic forms. The precise first recorded spelling in English appears in medieval charters, with variations such as Haruey or Hervé in French-influenced texts. In modern usage, Harvey remains a recognized proper noun for people and places, maintaining its two-syllable rhythm and straightforward vowel quality, though pronunciation can subtly drift in regional varieties.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "harvey" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "harvey" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "harvey"
-vey sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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