How to pronounce "confirm"

confirm

Noun
American
/kənˈfɝːm/

Syllable Breakdown

con firm

How natives say confirm

British
/kənˈfɜːm/

Syllable Breakdown

con firm

How natives say confirm

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with the sound /kən/ where the 'o' is a schwa sound like 'uh'.

  • Move to /fɝː/, the 'ir' is pronounced like the 'ur' in 'fur'.

  • End with a soft /m/ sound, keeping lips together.

Common Mistakes

  • con-form (incorrect vowel sound)

  • con-fer-m (incorrect stress placement)

  • con-furm (incorrect vowel usage)

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Begin with /kən/ with a soft 'o' as a schwa.

  • Change to /fɜː/, where the 'ir' sounds like 'uh' in 'fur'.

  • Finish with an /m/ sound, using a gentle closure of the lips.

common mistakes

  • same as American

  • same as American

  • same as American

FAQ

Why is the 'o' so short in 'confirm'?

The 'o' is a schwa, which is quick and unstressed.

Is the stress on the first or second syllable?

The stress is on the second syllable: 'firm'.

What vowel sound is in 'firm'?

It's pronounced like 'ur' in 'fur'.

Definition

confirm

To verify or make sure of something.

Word Family

confirmation

/ˌkɒnfəˈmeɪʃən/

noun

The action of confirming.

Example: I received confirmation of my booking.

confirmable

/kənˈfɜːrməbl/

adjective

Able to be confirmed.

Example: This theory is confirmable.

confirmed

/kənˈfɜːrmd/

adjective

Proven to be true.

Example: He is a confirmed bachelor.

Key Pronunciation Differences

Confirmation has a different stress pattern.

Confirmable has a different suffix sound.

Confirmed is similar in the first part but ends with a 'd'.

Pro Tips

Mind the Stress

Remember the stress is on the second syllable.

Vowel Sounds

Keep the 'o' sound short and relaxed.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Confirm

agenda

/əˈdʒɛn.də/

amend

/əˈmɛnd/

anniversary

/ˌænɪˈvɜrsəri/

attend

/əˈtɛnd/

authorize

/ˈɔθəˌraɪz/

beforehand

/bɪˈfɔːrhænd/

center

/ˈsɛn.tɚ/

chronicle

/ˈkrɑːnɪkl̩/

Other Categories

Test Your Pronunciation On Words Within Other Categories

adjoin

abroad

ability