Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

sonar

/ˈsoʊ.nɑːɹ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.30 in modern English

Syllables: sonar
IPA: /ˈsoʊ.nɑːɹ/

5

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Artificial echolocation by use of electronic equipment, with hydrophones to locate objects underwater, using the same wave-analysis principles that radar uses.

Uncountable

noun

A device that provides such echolocation.

Countable

noun

Any echolocation.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Dated form of sonar.

Countable; Dated; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"They were able to detect the sunken wreck using sonar."
"They finally bought a new sonar to replace the 40-year-old unit that sometimes didn't work right."
"Submarines and bats both use sonar to navigate."

Etymology

By anacronymic evolution from SONAR.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈsoʊ.nɑːɹ/
British English: /ˈsəʊ.nɑː/

Usage

Inflected Forms

sonars (plural)

Derived Forms

antisonar sonarlike sonarman

Phrases

active sonar Doppler sonar

Frequently Paired Words

sodar radar lidar ultrasonography

Synonyms

ASDIC echo sounder

Questions

How do you pronounce sonar?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsoʊ.nɑːɹ/.
What does sonar mean?: Artificial echolocation by use of electronic equipment, with hydrophones to locate objects underwater, using the same wave-analysis principles that radar uses.
Where does sonar come from?: By anacronymic evolution from SONAR.

How to pronounce sonar

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