3 syllables: la, bra, dor. Stress on la.
/ˈlæbɹəˌdɔɹ/
Say it backLabrador is a common noun used to refer to a medium-to-large breed of retriever known for its friendly temperament and strong retrieving instincts. The word also denotes the Labrador region in Canada, from which the dog breed takes its name. In many contexts, it’s used as a proper noun when naming individual dogs or as an adjective in breed descriptions.
"The Labrador is one of the most popular family dogs in many countries."
"She adopted a cheerful Labrador from the local shelter."
"His Labrador’s athletic build helped him win the agility competition."
The standard pronunciation is /ˈlæ.brə.dɔːr/ in many dialects. Put primary stress on the first syllable: LA-bra-dor. The middle syllable uses a schwa vowel, and the final is a long /ɔː/ in UK/AU or /ɔr/ in US depending on rhoticity. Start with an open front lax vowel for /æ/, then a relaxed /rə/ with neutral vowel, and finish with a clear /dɔːr/ or /dɔː/. Practice by isolating each segment: /ˈlæ/ + /brə/ + /dɔːr/. Audio references: Cambridge English and Forvo entries show regional variants and natural cadence.
Common errors include misplacing stress (unlocking the first syllable too late), mispronouncing the middle syllable as /laːˈbraːdɜː/ instead of /ˈlæ.brə.dɔːr/, and truncating the final /ɔːr/ into /ɔː/ or /ɔr/. To correct: emphasize /ˈlæ/ strongly, keep the middle /brə/ with a crisp, reduced vowel, and finish with a full /dɔːr/ for rhotic accents. Use 2-3 slow repetitions focusing on the final /ɔːr/ to avoid dropping the r in non-rhotic speech; in rhotic accents, ensure the /r/ is audible but not exaggerated.
In US English, the ending is often /-dɔɹ/ with an rhotic /r/; the middle is schwa-like /rə/ and the first syllable /ˈlæ/. UK and AU varieties often have a less pronounced final rhotic, yielding /ˈlæ.brə.dɔː/ with a longer vowel in the final syllable and non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech. The middle can be a clearer /ə/ rather than a full /ɜː/. Overall rhythm tends to be trochaic in US and UK, while AU may merge vowels slightly and lean into a more clipped middle syllable depending on speaker. Reference IPA: US /ˈlæ.brə.dɔːɹ/, UK /ˈlæ.brə.dɔː/; AU generally /ˈlæ.brə.dɔː/ with similar finales.
The difficulty lies in balancing the short, lax /æ/ in the first syllable with a mid-central schwa in the second, and a trailing /ɔːr/ or /ɔɹ/ that may be reduced or rhotic depending on accent. The sequence /brə/ can cause vowel-consonant blending, and the final /r/ or /ɔː/ may be subtle in non-rhotic varieties. Practicing segment-by-segment with attention to the middle schwa and the final rhotic helps stabilize the overall cadence. Practicing a slow, three-beat rhythm helps lock the mouth positions.
A distinctive challenge is maintaining the smooth, rapid transition from /br/ to the central /ə/ without inserting an extra syllable or delaying the /d/. Some speakers insert an epenthetic vowel or glide, which softens the transition. Focus on a tight, quick /brə/ cluster followed immediately by /dɔːr/; keep the jaw relaxed and avoid tensing the lips when forming /ɔːr/. Listen to native speakers and imitate their syllable compactness to minimize delay between /br/ and /d/.
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Labrador originates from the Labrador region of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The breed's name was originally linked to the Labrador Sea area near the Gulf of Saint Lawrence where early dogs were associated with fishing and retrieving activities. The term Labrador Retriever is a 20th-century consolidation of the regional name with the English word retriever. The breed gained international recognition in the 19th and 20th centuries as hunters and handlers introduced them to North America and Europe. First written references to Labrador-type dogs appeared in the 18th and 19th centuries in British kennel literature, with formal breed standards developing in the early 20th century. Over time, “Labrador” has become the default shorthand for the Labrador Retriever, though regional variations exist in how dogs with similar lineages are described. In modern usage, “Labrador” most commonly denotes the breed, while “Labradorite” is a mineral name that is unrelated etymologically.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "labrador" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "labrador"
-or? sounds
-our sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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