higher

Pronounce it as two syllables: /ˈhaɪ.ər/ in US and UK. The first syllable carries primary stress with the diphthong /aɪ/ (like 'high'). The second syllable is a reduced /ər/ (schwa+r) in rhotic accents and often simplified to /ə/ or /ɚ/ in US English when unstressed. In careful speech you can hear the light /ɚ/ rhotacization; in fast speech it tends toward a quick centering vowel. Tip: start with 'high' then lightly add a relaxed /ər/.

Common errors include pronouncing /ˈhaɪjər/ with an extra /j/ leading to ‘hai-yer’ and misplacing stress as /ˈhaɪər/ with secondary emphasis on the second syllable. Another frequent mistake is reducing the second syllable too aggressively to /ɪ/ or /ɪər/ or omitting linking vowels in connected speech. Correction: keep the /ɪə/ sequence in the first syllable and glide to a clear but brief /ər/ in the second; practice with minimal pairs: high/ higher to feel the added syllable.

In US English, the second syllable often becomes /ɚ/ (rhotic) or /ər/ depending on region, with linking /r/ sometimes pronounced lightly. UK English typically yields /ˈhaɪə/ or /ˈhaɪəɹ/ with a non-rhotic trailing /ə/ sound; some speakers merge to /ˈhaɪə/. Australian English shares a similar /ˈhaɪə(r)/ pattern but with a more centralized ending and less pronounced linking /ɹ/ in non-rhotic contexts. Overall, diphthongization and rhotic clarity shift subtly across accents.

The difficulty lies in coordinating the vowel sequence /aɪ/ with a trailing schwa-like /ər/ in connected speech, especially when linking to the next word, which can blur the /ər/ into a weaker vowel. Also, some speakers reduce /ər/ to /ɚ/ or omit it, changing the perceived length and rhythm. Mastering the subtle glide from /aɪ/ to the schwa and ensuring the intonation peak follows the stress are key challenges.

A distinctive feature is the transition from the strong, tense /aɪ/ diphthong to the lighter, unstressed /ər/ or /ə/ sound in connected speech, which creates a quick, almost invisible boundary between syllables. You’ll often hear a smoother linking to the next word as the /r/ or /ə/ slightly softens, depending on the speaker’s dialect. Paying attention to the boundary cue—where your mouth stops the glide and starts the schwa—helps accuracy.