A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Marlborough
Pronounce 'Marlborough' like the British county and brand, with a silent 'ough'.
marlborough
MAWL-bruh
/ˈmɑːl.bɹə/ · MAWL · bruh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Marlborough is famously the name of a British county and a popular cigarette brand. You might also encounter it when discussing the Duke of Marlborough, a significant historical figure, or when referring to places named after the county.
Where the word comes from
The name Marlborough likely derives from Old English 'Mearlebeorg', meaning 'stone hill' or 'fortress'. It's the name of a market town in Wiltshire, England.
Common ways people get it wrong
- MARL-bor-oh Many people pronounce the 'ough' ending as 'oh', but in Marlborough, it's silent, like in 'through'.
- MARL-bro The final syllable is a soft 'uh' sound, not a hard 'oh' or 'o'.
Frequently asked
Is the 'ough' in Marlborough silent?
Yes, the 'ough' in Marlborough is silent. It's pronounced like 'bruh', not 'bro' or 'buh-row'.
How do you pronounce the town Marlborough?
The town in Wiltshire, England, is pronounced 'MAWL-bruh'. The same pronunciation applies to the brand and other places named Marlborough.
What's the difference between Marlborough and Marlboro?
Marlborough is the original place name and the formal spelling. Marlboro is the common, simplified spelling often used for the cigarette brand.
How do you pronounce Marlborough in British English?
In British English, Marlborough is typically pronounced MARL-bruh. The emphasis is on the first syllable, and the 'ough' sounds like 'bruh'.
How do I pronounce borough?
The word 'borough' is pronounced BURR-oh. The first syllable sounds like 'burr' and the second syllable sounds like 'oh'.
How to pronounce Marlborough New Zealand?
Marlborough in New Zealand is pronounced MARL-bruh, similar to the British English pronunciation. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
Marlboro pronunciation American
In American English, Marlboro is often pronounced MARL-bor-oh. Some may also pronounce it closer to MARL-bruh.
