2 syllables: Wea, ry. Stress on Wea.
WIR-ee
/ˈwɪɹi/
Weary is pronounced WIR-ee (/ˈwɪɹi/). It has two syllables (Wea-ry), with the stress on "Wea". Weary (noun) refers to a feeling of extreme tiredness, fatigue, or fatigue-induced reluctance. It can describe a state of weariness from exertion or sorrow, or more figuratively, a disposition marked by lack of enthusiasm. In usage, it often appears in phrases like “weary from travel” or “weary of waiting.”.
nounWeary (noun) refers to a feeling of extreme tiredness, fatigue, or fatigue-induced reluctance. It can describe a state of weariness from exertion or sorrow, or more figuratively, a disposition marked by lack of enthusiasm. In usage, it often appears in phrases like “weary from travel” or “weary of waiting.”
How to Pronounce Weary
"After a long day of hiking, she sat down, feeling utterly weary."
"The crowd grew weary of the speaker’s repetitive points."
"He wore a weary expression as the deadline approached without progress."
Weary is stressed on the first syllable: /ˈwɪə.ri/ (US/UK commonly) with a two-syllable rhythm. The first vowel is a near-close near-front diphthong in many accents. Commonly sounds like “WEE-uh-ree” in careful speech or “WEER-ee” in rapid speech; the final -ry is pronounced as a light /ri/. Mouth position: start with a relaxed jaw, lips neutral-ish for /w/, then a raised tongue for /ɪ/ turning into /ə/ or /əː/ before /ri/. You’ll hear slight vowel vowel reduction in casual speech.
Common mistakes include over-creating the second syllable as a full /iː/ or misplacing stress on the second syllable. Some speakers hyper-articulate the first vowel as /ɪ/ instead of the correct /ɪə/ sequence, and others flatten the diphthong into a monophthong /ɪ/ or /i/. To correct: keep the first syllable as /ˈwɪə/ (a rising glide), ensure the second syllable lands on /ri/ with a short, clear /r/ and non-stressed, swift ending. Practice by gently gliding from /ɪə/ toward /ə/ then release into /ri/.
In US English, the first syllable often features a cg-like /ˈwɪə.ɹi/ with a rhotic r; the /ɹ/ is pronounced clearly. UK speakers may retain a less rhotic quality in some regions, with /ˈwɪə.ri/ or even a shorter /ˈwɪə.ri/ but still rhotic in many accents. Australian English typically maintains a clear /ˈwɪə.ɹi/ with less movement in the second vowel and a more centralized /ə/ in rapid speech. In all cases, the primary stress is on the first syllable.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable diphthong sequence /ˈwɪə/ and the quick transition to the /ri/ ending, which demands careful articulation of a vowel glide and the rhotic consonant. Non-native speakers may produce a flat /ɪ/ or a prolonged /iː/, blurring the glide. Mastery requires controlling mouth shape through the diphthong, finishing with a crisp /r/ and a rolled or tapped /ɪ/ depending on dialect. Practicing with slow speed and listening to native models helps internalize the subtle vowel movement.
A distinctive feature of weary is the /ɪə/ sequence in the first syllable, which blends from a near-front to a mid-central vowel before the /ri/ ending. Unlike straightforward long vowels, this requires a smooth mouth transition: start with /ɪ/ in a relaxed jaw, slide into /ə/ as you approach the second vowel, then crisp the /ri/ with the 'r' pronounced. This nuanced diphthongization is what often trips learners, especially in non-rhotic contexts where the /r/ influence may be less prominent.
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Weary originates from the Old English word werig, related to the Proto-Germanic *wariga- and the Proto-Indo-European root *(u)wer- indicating wear or fatigue. In early Germanic languages, werig conveyed physical weariness and fatigue from exertion. By the Middle English period, weariness expanded beyond physical fatigue to include mental or emotional fatigue, often connected with long labor, travel, or prolonged effort. The word gradually acquired the sense of constant tiredness and reluctance, extending metaphorically to “weary of” someone or something. Early literary uses appear in religious and epic texts to describe soldiers, travelers, and mourners displaced by lengthy ordeals. The semantic arc moved from a tangible state of being worn down to a more abstract sense of exhaustion that colors attitudes and patience. In contemporary English, weary frequently functions as both a noun (rare in modern usage but historically attested) and a mainstream adjective, describing fatigued states or expressions of tiredness and lack of enthusiasm. First known use as a noun is obscure, but by the 14th century the term was firmly linked to fatigue as a condition rather than a mere action.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Weary" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Weary" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Weary"
-ary sounds
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