2 syllables: Sa, bre. Stress on Sa.
SAY-bur
/ˈseɪbɚ/
Sabre is pronounced SAY-bur (/ˈseɪbɚ/). It has two syllables (Sa-bre), with the stress on "Sa". Sabre is a straight, usually single-edged sword used historically by cavalry and for ceremonial purposes. In modern usage it often refers to a blade worn on the side, with emphasis on cutting rather than thrusting. The term is common in British English and Commonwealth usage, but is universally understood as a type of sword in many contexts.
nounSabre is a straight, usually single-edged sword used historically by cavalry and for ceremonial purposes. In modern usage it often refers to a blade worn on the side, with emphasis on cutting rather than thrusting. The term is common in British English and Commonwealth usage, but is universally understood as a type of sword in many contexts.
"The cavalry officer drew his sabre from its scabbard."
"During the parade, the sabre drill impressed the spectators."
"She bought a ceremonial sabre as a family heirloom."
Pronounce as SAH-bər in US and SAH-bə in UK/AU. Primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈseɪ.bɚ/, UK/AU /ˈseɪ.bə/. Start with the long a in 'say' and finish with an unstressed schwa or rhotacized vowel depending on accent. You’ll sound natural by keeping the first syllable tense, the second relaxed, and linking subtly: /ˈseɪ.bɚ/ (US) or /ˈseɪ.bə/ (UK/AU). Audio reference: treat the first syllable as a clear diphthong /eɪ/; let the final syllable be a quick, soft neutral vowel.
Common errors: (1) Flattening the /eɪ/ into a short /ɛ/ or /e/ in the first syllable, (2) pronouncing the final vowel as a full vowel like /ɚ/ in UK settings, (3) over-articulating the second syllable making it sound like /bæ/ instead of /bə/. Correction tips: keep the first syllable as a true /eɪ/ diphthong (start /e/ then glide to /ɪ/), allow the second syllable to reduce to /-ər/ or /-ə/ depending on accent, and avoid adding an extra vowel after /r/ in non-rhotic accents.
US: /ˈseɪ.bɚ/ with rhotic /r/; UK/AU: /ˈseɪ.bə/ with non-rhotic r and a shorter second syllable; in some UK dialects the final /ə/ can sound like a schwa closer to a neutral /ə/; Aus: typically /ˈseɪ.bə/ with consistent non-rhotic r and light vowel quality. Across accents, the key difference is the rhoticity and the degree of vowel reduction in the second syllable. The diphthong in the first syllable remains /eɪ/ in all variants.
The challenge sits in two places: the first syllable’s /eɪ/ diphthong requires a precise glide ending and the second syllable’s schwa or /ə/ can be reduced; non-rhotic accents hide the /r/ making the word feel shorter and less distinct, while rhotic accents preserve a pronounced /ɚ/. Also, spelling-to-sound mapping can mislead you into a hard /ar/ or /er/ sound if you’re influenced by similar words. Focus on crisp /eɪ/ and a light, quick /ər/ or /ə/.
Stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈseɪ.bə/ in many dialects; the key confusion comes from final vowel quality: US emphasizes /ˈseɪ.bɚ/ with a rhactivated /ɚ/, UK/AU favoring a lighter /ˈseɪ.bə/ ending. Unique to Sabre is the transition from a long /eɪ/ to a reduced second syllable; keep the mouth ready for a quick, almost whispered /ə/ and ensure the first syllable doesn’t mute the glide.
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Sabre comes from the French sabre, which itself derives from the Italian spada or the German Säbel, all tracing to the Germanic root *sabal-/*sabel- referring to a cutting weapon. The English form sabre was established in the 16th–17th centuries and was influenced by French and Italian spellings during the era of expanding European warfare and cross-cultural exchange. The word originally denoted a cavalry saber or arming sword, later expanding to ceremonial and decorative blades. In American English, the spelling saber gained prominence, with sabre remaining common in British and Commonwealth usage. The term’s meaning shifted modestly over time from a battlefield weapon to a symbol of military tradition and ceremonial function, while preserving the core sense of a curved, cutting edge blade used for slashing motions. First known uses appear in early modern military inventories and travelogues where soldiers described their swords with the same name, reflecting a trans-European linguistic diffusion of the weapon’s designation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sabre" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Sabre" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Sabre"
-ber sounds
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