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Why "answer" sounds different in British English
The British pronunciation is /ˈɑːnsə/: a long "ah", N, S, then a weak schwa. American English says /ˈænsər/, with the short vowel of "cat" and a final R.
"Answer" is one of the BATH words with the long vowel before N plus a consonant, like "dance" and "chance". Be careful not to say the W: the spelling suggests "an-swer", but no standard accent pronounces it. The S is also a plain S, not a Z. In RP the final R comes back only when a vowel follows, as in "the answer is", where you hear a light linking R: "AHN-suh-riz".
How to say "answer" like a Brit, step by step
- Begin with a long, open ah, jaw low and tongue back.
- Add n and then a clear s. Don't insert a W.
- End with a short schwa, uh, keeping the tongue tip down.
- Stress the first syllable and keep the second very light: AHN-suh.
Practise "answer" in a sentence
- I rang twice, but nobody answered.
- The answer is on the back of the card.
- I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you yet.
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 answer in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, answer is pronounced /ˈɑːnsə/, roughly "AHN-suh". Say AHN-suh: a long "ah", no W and no final R.
Is the American pronunciation of answer wrong?
No. /ˈænsər/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /ˈɑːnsə/.