How to pronounce "forbears" in EnglishVerb
for·bears
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No video clips indexed yet for “forbears”
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “forbears”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
for
Reduced vowel sound, relaxed jaw, and minimal vocal effort.
bears
Reduced vowel sound, relaxed jaw, and minimal vocal effort.
Keep the vowel length balanced, placing subtle emphasis on the root morpheme according to standard conversational rhythm.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Avoid pronouncing every vowel with full acoustic weight. Non-native speakers often over-enunciate unstressed vowels.
How Native Speakers Say It: Only give full vowel clarity to the primary stressed syllable. Relax all unstressed vowels into a neutral, low-energy schwa (⁄ə⁄).
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When "forbears" is followed by a word starting with a vowel, glide the final consonant into the opening vowel (e.g. "forbears is" sounds like "forbears-iz").
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "forbears" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Practice Speaking “forbears”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
Mr. Sheriff, I desire that this manacling may be forborn: if you please to clap a guard of a hundred men upon us, I shall pay for it. This is not only a disgrace to me, but in general to all soldiers; which doth more trouble me than the loss of my life.
Hear it in context: “forbears”
The English word “forbears”. Phonologically, it consists of 2 syllables (for · bears). Grammatically, “forbears” functions as a verb, noun and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. Hear native speakers say forbears in context across real video clips
Definition & Meaning: “forbears”
- To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
- To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
- Alternative spelling of forebear.
Example Sentences (2)
- “Mr. Sheriff, I desire that this manacling may be forborn: if you please to clap a guard of a hundred men upon us, I shall pay for it. This is not only a disgrace to me, but in general to all soldiers; which doth more trouble me than the loss of my life.”
- “Por[tia]. I pray you tarrie, pauſe a day or two Before you hazard, for in chooſing wrong I looſe your companie ; therefore forbeare a while, /[...]”
Pronounce: “forbears”
- Syllables:
- for · bears
- Hear it in context
- forbears
Words that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"forbears" has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "forbears" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about forbears
How many syllables are in “forbears”?
“forbears” has 2 syllables: for · bears.
What does “forbears” mean?
To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “forbears”?
Avoid pronouncing every vowel with full acoustic weight. Non-native speakers often over-enunciate unstressed vowels. Only give full vowel clarity to the primary stressed syllable. Relax all unstressed vowels into a neutral, low-energy schwa (⁄ə⁄).