English pronunciation · Words Starting with B
Born Pronunciation
Born is pronounced BAWRN, IPA /ˈbɔrn/.
BAWRN
US /ˈbɔrn/ · UK /ˈbɔːn/
Syllables: BAWRN (1 syllable)
adjective (past participle of bear): Brought into life by birth, or having a quality from the start.
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Born in a Sentence
- Both children were born at the same hospital in Cork.
- He is a born negotiator.
- Twins born that early need weeks of care.
Common Mispronunciations of Born
Not BOHN
An r follows the vowel in American speech and colours the whole syllable. Leaving it out entirely is standard in southern England, where born and bawn sound identical.
Not BURN
The vowel is rounded and open, the aw of law, not the ur of her. Pulling it to the centre of the mouth gives a different verb.
Tip: Born and borne split by sense rather than by sound: you were born in May, and the costs were borne by the council.
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