2 syllables: lau, ra. Stress on lau.
LAW-ruh
/ˈlɔɹə/
laura is pronounced LAW-ruh (/ˈlɔɹə/). It has two syllables (lau-ra), with the stress on "lau". Laura is a female given name. In English usage it typically functions as a personal identifier or reference to a specific woman, often used in informal and formal contexts. The pronunciation carries a two-syllable rhythm, with stress commonly on the first syllable, and vowel quality shaped by the speaker’s accent rather than a fixed spelling rule.
Laura is a female given name. In English usage it typically functions as a personal identifier or reference to a specific woman, often used in informal and formal contexts. The pronunciation carries a two-syllable rhythm, with stress commonly on the first syllable, and vowel quality shaped by the speaker’s accent rather than a fixed spelling rule.
"I met Laura at the conference and she gave a great presentation."
"Laura asked if I could review her notes before the meeting."
"In the novel, Laura plays a pivotal role in the plot."
Laura is typically two syllables with primary stress on the first: LAU-ra. In US/UK spelling, you’ll hear /ˈlɔː.rə/ or /ˈlɔːrə/. Pay attention to the broad open /ɔː/ vowel in the first syllable, followed by a schwa or light /ə/ in the second, depending on tempo. You can listen to native usage on Pronounce or Forvo for authentic regional variants.
Common errors include flattening the first vowel to an /æ/ like 'la-ra' and incorrectly stressing the second syllable. Some speakers reduce the first vowel too much, producing /ˈlɑrə/ instead of the open /ɔː/. Others insert an extra ‘r’ sound or break into three syllables. Correct by maintaining a single broad vowel in the first syllable and keeping the second syllable unstressed or lightly reduced: /ˈlɔː.rə/ (US/UK).
In US English, the first syllable often uses /ɔː/ with a rhotic completion; in many British accents you’ll hear a slightly tighter /ɔː/ and crisper /ə/ in the second syllable, sometimes with non-rhoticity affecting linking. Australian English typically features a more centralized /ɔː/ and a more pronounced schwa in the second syllable. Regional variations exist, but the core is two syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈlɔː.rə/.
The challenge lies in the diphthong-vowel quality of the first syllable and the quick reduction of the second syllable in casual speech. Learners from non-rhotic backgrounds may misplace the vowel length or omit the postconsonantal /r/ in some dialects. Mastery requires consistent mouth positioning for the broad /ɔː/ and a relaxed, quick schwa in the second syllable while preserving the two-syllable rhythm.
Focus on the first vowel: open back /ɔː/ in most dialects, not /ɑ/ or /æ/. Start with a long, steady glide to /ɔː/ and then release into a soft, quick /rə/ or /rə/ depending on accent. Visualize your mouth opening wider for the /ɔː/ and relaxing the jaw for the second syllable. Practice with phrases like ‘Laura says…’ to anchor the rhythm.
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Laura originates from the Latin name Laurus, meaning laurel or crown of victory. The root laurus signified the laurel tree, a symbol of honor in ancient Rome. The feminine form Laura became popular in medieval Latin and early Italian and subsequently spread through Europe. In English, Laura became especially widespread in the 18th and 19th centuries, influenced by classical and religious naming traditions that favored melodious, latinate feminine names. The name’s semantic field—honor, victory, and brightness—aligned with laurel wreaths and triumph, reinforcing its appeal in literary and social naming. Over time, pronunciation in English diverged from the classical Latinate pronunciation, adopting a simpler vowel sequence in many dialects, which led to the two-syllable, stress-on-early variant seen in American and British usage today. First known uses appear in English literature and ecclesiastical records in the medieval and early modern periods, with “Laura” appearing as a proper noun in poetry and prose by the 16th century and becoming a common given name in subsequent centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "laura" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "laura" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "laura"
-ora sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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