Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

harass

/həˈɹæs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.28 in modern English

Syllables
ha-rass
IPA
/həˈɹæs/
9
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To annoy (someone) frequently or systematically; to pester.

Transitive verb

verb

To annoy (someone) frequently or systematically; to pester.

Transitive verb

verb

To put excessive burdens upon (someone); to subject (someone) to anxieties.

Transitive verb

verb

To trouble (someone, or a group of people) through repeated military-style attacks.

Transitive verb

verb

Often followed by out: to fatigue or tire (someone) with exhausting and repeated efforts.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

noun

Harassment; pestering.

Archaic; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

The verb is derived from Middle French, Old French harasser (“to exhaust, tire out, wear out; to harry, torment, vex”) (modern French harasser (“to exhaust, tire out, wear out”)), possibly from Old French harer (“to set a dog on”), from Frankish *hara (“here, hither”) (a command for a dog to attack), from Proto-Germanic *hē₂r (“here, in this place”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱe (“here; this”) + *ís (“the (person or thing just named)”) + *-r. The noun is derived from the verb.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /həˈɹæs/
  • British English: /həˈɹæs/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce harass?
The recorded pronunciation is /həˈɹæs/.
What does harass mean?
To annoy (someone) frequently or systematically; to pester.
Where does harass come from?
It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce harass

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “harass”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/həˈɹæs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “harass”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “harass” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.