Accent LabYour browser has no British voice installed, so playback may sound American. On iPhone and Mac, add one in Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → Voices → English (UK).
Why "either" sounds different in British English
British English accepts both /ˈaɪðə/ ("EYE-thuh") and /ˈiːðə/ ("EE-thuh"). The "eye" version is more strongly associated with RP and is heard much more in Britain than in America. The same goes for "neither": "NYE-thuh".
American English overwhelmingly uses /ˈiːðər/, with a pronounced R at the end. Whichever first vowel you choose, dropping that final R is what makes it British.
How to say "either" like a Brit, step by step
- Start with eye (or "ee" if you prefer).
- Make a voiced th, as in "this", with the tongue lightly between your teeth.
- End on a short uh. No R.
- Stress the first syllable: EYE-thuh.
Practise "either" in a sentence
- I don't mind either way.
- You can take either of them.
- I haven't been there either.
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 either in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, either is pronounced /ˈaɪðə/ or /ˈiːðə/, roughly "EYE-thuh or EE-thuh". The first vowel can be "eye" or "ee", and the final R is silent.
Is the American pronunciation of either wrong?
No. /ˈiːðər/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /ˈaɪðə/ or /ˈiːðə/.