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Why "address" sounds different in British English
In standard British English, "address" is /əˈdres/ whether it is a noun (your home address) or a verb (to address a letter, to address a problem). The first syllable is a weak schwa and the stress sits firmly on DRESS.
American English uses /əˈdres/ for the verb too, but for the noun, especially a postal, email or web address, many Americans say /ˈædres/, with a full "a" as in "cat" and the stress on the first syllable. That noun-verb split is a common pattern in English (think "record" and "progress"), but British English does not apply it to "address". Saying "AD-dress" for the noun is one of the quickest ways to sound American in the UK.
How to say "address" like a Brit, step by step
- Begin with a very short, relaxed uh, not "ad".
- Move straight into dr, with no pause between the D and R.
- Stress DRESS, with the short e of "bed".
- Use the same pattern for noun and verb: uh-DRESS.
Practise "address" in a sentence
- Could you write your address on the back of the envelope?
- I've changed my email address, so please update your records.
- The Prime Minister will address the nation this evening.
Saying it once correctly is easy. Saying it right in the middle of a fast sentence is the hard part, which is why the sentences above matter more than the single word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce address in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, address is pronounced /əˈdres/, roughly "uh-DRESS". Noun and verb are both said "uh-DRESS", with the stress on the second syllable.
Is the American pronunciation of address wrong?
No. /ˈædres/ (noun) or /əˈdres/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /əˈdres/.
Do British people ever say AD-dress?
Rarely, and it is generally heard as American. Standard British English stresses the second syllable for both the noun and the verb.