How is “route” pronounced?

Not all regions of the USA pronounce this word the same way, many regions pronounce it as root, but others pronounce it as rout. I’ve always pronounced it as root myself and I agree it is the correct pronunciation.

I tend to say "root" when referring to the name of a highway. Like, it's "State Root 1", not "State Rowt 1"; the latter sounds wrong to me.

But in terms of internet traffic or finding a route on Google Maps, I more often say "rowt".

"Root" seems to be the only standard pronunciation in the UK, but both are considered standard in the US.

Here's a map of US pronunciation of "route."


More pronunciation/usage maps at
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dialect-maps_n_3395819

P.S. I've always lived in the northeast. I think I usually say "root" for the noun and "rowt" for the verb. But not always!

The word was always pronounced 'rowt'. In 1961 the Nat King Cole Trio produced a popular song: "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". The word 'rowt' didn't sound right so they changed it to "root". Later when the word Route came up in conversations some people became confused about the pronunciations. 🎶 Ta Daaa! 😉

I'm American and have always said and heard "root" around here most of the time, though occasionally I've heard someone say "rowt".

[media=https://youtu.be/SI9hHo9_QB8?si=pndtDOlUrt2tiFBX]

I've watched some newer videos that explain the rules better but this is the one I grew up with. I'm guessing the words must have varied between episodes.

In the United States, the pronunciation varies according to region. I grew up hearing it one way, then I moved to an area where they pronounce it the other way, and now both are in my head, so I actually forget which one is which! 😄

Certified English as a Second Language teacher, here.

English is a strange language, in that groupings of the same words will have a different sound, depending upon the context in which they are used.

I hear most people use root. A few use rowt. I know what they mean so I don't worry about it.

We're inconsistent. We pronounce Route 66 as "Root 66." But when I had a paper route, it was "paper rowt."

We in the US actually use both of these different pronunciations, one of which tends to be based upon the part of speech.

1) As a verb used for war (to route an enemy), we usually say "rowt" (rhymes with "out").

2) As a noun meaning "path", either "rowt" or "root" (rhymes with "moot" or "boot", etc.) is used.

• Some people might use one pronunciation for a path taken by a physical means of transportation (the route followed by a vehicle) and another for the path used by internet traffic (or a theoretical path).

=> The pronunciation choice for "path of internet traffic" usually dictates the pronunciation used for the related terms

- to route, verb referring to choosing the path, including exchanging routing information between...

- routers, noun referring to the specialized computers which PERFORM the routing (verb, last example).

I pronounce it as "rowt," but it's a regional thing in the US.

You are correct.

Correct. And "route" means something quite different to "rout".

'Round these here parts, we just say "rowt." Most people never use "root."

Route is pronounced rowt just as it is spelled but some people pronounce it as “root” even in America!

I say it like “root”

I say root.

More importantly, how do we pronounce "dossier"? Dah-see-er? Dah-see-ay? Doh-see-ay?

It's pronounced like "root". There is no such thing as "hard ow" or "soft oo". Vowels are not "hard" or "soft" like certain consonants are.

You people really REALLY need to log out and go get some life.
We only get about 26,000 days IF we don’t get fat and take care of ourselves.
:XD

For every English grammar rule there are around 300 exceptions 🤣

Route {root}

What do you call a tattoo’d prostitute ?
The scenic route!…. Nyuk nyuk nyuk..