2 syllables: Wan, ker. Stress on Wan.
WAHNG-kur
/ˈwɑŋkɚ/
Wanker is pronounced WAHNG-kur (/ˈwɑŋkɚ/). It has two syllables (Wan-ker), with the stress on "Wan". As a noun, a British/Northern English slang insult referring to someone who masturbates; used pejoratively and informally. It can function as a noun for a person or as a term of insult in conversation, often signaling contempt or disbelief. The word carries strong colloquial/register implications and may be offensive in polite or formal contexts.
nounA British/Northern English slang insult referring to someone who masturbates; used pejoratively and informally. It can function as a noun for a person or as a term of insult in conversation, often signaling contempt or disbelief. The word carries strong colloquial/register implications and may be offensive in polite or formal contexts.
"- Don’t be such a wanker, mate; help me move this couch instead."
"- I can’t believe he forgot my birthday—what a wanker."
"- She called him a wanker after his reckless comment in the meeting."
Pronounce as /ˈwæŋ.kər/ in General UK English or /ˈwæŋ.kɚ/ in US English. The first syllable carries primary stress: WANG- (rhymes with 'sang'). The second syllable is a schwa + r in rhotic accents: -ker or -kəɹ. Mouth: start with a rounded lip position for a light bilabial onset, then a low front vowel /æ/ as in 'cat', then an velar nasal /ŋ/ like 'sing', and finish with a relaxed schwa /ə/ before the rhotic /ɹ/ in US. Listen to native UK sources for the exact cadence.
Common errors: 1) Replacing /æ/ with a more closed vowel like /e/ resulting in /ˈwɛŋ.kər/. 2) Dropping the /ŋ/ or turning it into a /n/ or /ŋk/ cluster mismatch, producing /ˈwænkə/ or /ˈwæŋkɚ/ with wrong final vowel. 3) Misplacing stress or softening the second syllable into a clear /ɪ/ or /ɚ/. Correction: keep the compact /æ/ in the first syllable, ensure the velar nasal /ŋ/ is clearly pronounced, and release a short unstressed /ə/ before the rhotic /ɹ/ or /ɚ/ depending on accent. Practice with minimal pairs and record for feedback.
US: /ˈwæŋ.kɚ/ with rhotic /ɹ/, schwa in second syllable; UK: /ˈwɒŋ.kə/ or /ˈwæng.kə/ with shorter /ɒ/ or /æ/ depending on region and non-rhotic tendency; AU: often /ˈwæŋ.kə/ with vowel closer to /æ/ and non-rhotic /ə/; note variation in /æ/ vs /ɒ/ and rhoticity. Emphasis remains on first syllable. Mouth shapes adjust: US tends to a more centralized /ɚ/; UK prefers a light /ə/ or /əː/; AU blends /æ/ to /aː/ in some speakers. Listen to local media to calibrate exactly.
Because it blends a short front vowel with a velar nasal and a reduced final vowel, which can be unfamiliar for learners depending on their L1. The /æ/ in the first syllable must be precise, the /ŋ/ must follow immediately without an intervening stop, and the final /ər/ or /ə/ must be reduced without losing clarity, varying by accent. Maintain a tight transition from /æ/ to /ŋ/ and avoid inserting extra vowels between /ŋ/ and /k/ or /ɹ/ in rhotic accents.
The key is the tightly coupled sequence /æŋ.k/ where the velar nasal /ŋ/ must be immediately followed by /k/ in English phonotactics; this cluster is easy to mispronounce as /æŋ.k/ with an audible break or confusion of /ŋ/ and /k/. Also, the second syllable carries a reduced vowel; for non-rhotic speakers, the /r/ may be subtle or omitted. Mastery requires crisp articulation of /ŋ/ and smooth transition to /k/ and the final /ə/ or /ɚ/.
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Wanker originates from British slang, with roots in the verb to wank, itself an informal term for masturbation. The etymology traces back to Middle English and evolves through 19th- and 20th-century British colloquial usage where wank became a generic slang verb. The noun form wanker appeared as a referential insult, often used toward someone perceived as foolish or contemptible. The word gained mainstream recognition in pop culture, particularly in UK media and comedy, reinforcing its pejorative connotation. While the exact origin of to wank is uncertain, it is widely linked to Germanic and Dutch influences on English slang for masturbation, with variants appearing in different dialects. In modern usage, wanker carries strong taboo, is strongly associated with male sexuality in insult form, and is typically considered inappropriate in formal conversation or professional settings. First known written attestations emerged in 20th-century British literature and radio, aligning with the growth of explicit slang in media. Today, the term endures as a vivid, coarse insult used in casual, often humorous, contexts but should be deployed with caution to avoid offense.
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Words that rhyme with "Wanker"
-ker sounds
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