2 syllables: Vou, cher. Stress on Vou.
VOW-chur
/ˈvaʊtʃɚ/
Voucher is pronounced VOW-chur (/ˈvaʊtʃɚ/). It has two syllables (Vou-cher), with the stress on "Vou". Voucher is a small document or code that entitles the holder to goods, services, or a discount. It can also refer to a ticket or receipt, or a person acting as a guarantor in some contexts. In everyday use, a voucher often serves as proof of payment or authorization in commerce and promotions.
nounVoucher is a small document or code that entitles the holder to goods, services, or a discount. It can also refer to a ticket or receipt, or a person acting as a guarantor in some contexts. In everyday use, a voucher often serves as proof of payment or authorization in commerce and promotions.
How to Pronounce Voucher
"I saved 20% off my purchase with a store voucher."
"Please present your travel voucher at the ticket counter."
"The theater gave us a voucher for complimentary refreshments."
In General American, say /ˈvaʊtʃər/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: 'VOW' as /vaʊ/ and the second syllable sounds like /tʃər/ as in 'cher.' In careful speech you’ll produce two sounds: /ˈvaʊ/ + /tʃər/. A handy cue is 'VOW-chur' with a bright /aʊ/ diphthong starting near 'ah' rounding toward 'oo'. Listen to native audio and mimic the rhythm: strong first syllable, lighter second.
Two frequent errors: (1) treating /ˈvaʊtʃər/ as 'vo-chur' with a reduced /aɪ/ or a separate /w/ in the middle; keep the /aʊ/ diphthong in the first syllable and the /tʃ/ as a single affricate. (2) An overly tense final /ər/ or mispronouncing /ər/ as /ɜːr/ in non-rhotic accents. Correction: maintain the short, crisp /tʃ/ immediately followed by a relaxed /ər/ (or /ə/). Practice the sequence: /vaʊ/ + /tʃər/ with minimal lateral movement and a gentle closure at /tʃ/.
US: /ˈvaʊtʃər/ with rhotic /r/, two syllables, second syllable reduced to /ər/. UK: /ˈvaʊtʃə/ with non-rhotic or weak rhotic, second syllable reduced to /ə/ or /ə/; sometimes /ˈvaʊtʃə/ in careful speech. AU: similar to UK; sometimes a slightly longer second syllable, but still /ˈvaʊtʃə/. The key differences lie in rhotacism and vowel quality of the second syllable: US tends to keep a darker /ɚ/; UK/AU lean toward a schwa. Therapeutic cue: listen to region-specific audio and imitate the vowel reduction pattern.
The challenge centers on the diphthong /aʊ/ in the first syllable and the /tʃ/ cluster right after, which requires precise tongue elevation and timing. The second syllable’s /ər/ or /ə/ is a reduced vowel that can blur in rapid speech. Additionally, the transition from the high front position of /aʊ/ to the alveolar affricate /tʃ/ and then to a lighter final /r/ or /ə/ can trip non-native speakers. Focus on crisp /tʃ/ and clean lip rounding for /aʊ/ while keeping the second syllable short and relaxed.
There is no silent letter in standard pronunciations of voucher. The sequence 'ouch' yields /aʊtʃ/ where the /t/ and /ʃ/ combine into /tʃ/. Some learners may partially or fully pronounce the /t/ in rapid speech, producing /ˈvaʊtʃər/ with clear /t/; whispering or eliding the /t/ is possible in very fast, casual speech, but correct enunciation uses the full /t/ sound before /ʃ/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Voucher"!
Voucher comes from the Middle English word vouceren, from Old French voucier/vougeor, meaning a pledge or warrant. The term traces back to Latin vocare meaning 'to call' and to the practice of issuing a document that calls in a promise or obligation. In the medieval and early modern periods, vouchers were written commitments or warrants used to authorize payment or delivery, often recorded in ledgers as proof of a transaction. Over time, the word broadened to refer to any document certifying a value, entitlement, or right, particularly in commercial and administrative settings. The modern sense—an instrument (paper or digital) that allows a discount, service, or product—became common in the 19th and 20th centuries with the rise of consumer promotions, travel tickets, and corporate expenses. The pronunciation settled on /ˈvaʊtʃər/ in General American and /ˈvaʊtʃə/ in many UK dialects, with subtle vowel quality differences across regions. The word’s core meaning—an issued warrant or document conferring value—remains stable even as formats shifted from handwritten warrants to barcode-enabled digital vouchers. First known use in its modern legal sense appears in business records of the 1700s–1800s, while colloquial usage as a discount instrument proliferated in the 20th century with mass-market marketing.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Voucher" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Voucher" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Voucher" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Voucher"
-our sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
