A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Worcestershire
A common sauce name that trips up many. Here's how to say it right, and why it's so tricky.
worcestershire
WUUS-ter-sher
/ˈwʊs.tər.ʃər/ · WUUS · ter · sher
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also a common ingredient mentioned in recipes and cooking shows.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from the city of Worcester in England. The '-shire' suffix denotes a county, a common naming convention in England.
Common ways people get it wrong
- WOR-chester-shy-er Many try to pronounce every letter, but the 'ce' and 'shire' are often elided or changed in common speech.
- WOR-ster-sheer The final syllable is typically a schwa sound, like the 'er' in 'teacher', not a distinct 'eer'.
Frequently asked
What's the easiest way to remember the pronunciation?
Focus on the first syllable sounding like 'wuss' or 'woos', followed by 'ter' and then 'sher'. Think 'WUSS-ter-sher'.
Why is Worcestershire so hard to pronounce?
The spelling doesn't directly map to common English pronunciation rules, especially with the silent 'ce' and the contracted '-shire' ending.
Is there a shorter way to say it?
In casual conversation, people might just say 'the sauce' if the context is clear, but when ordering or referring to it specifically, the full pronunciation is best.
