How to Pronounce "the small hours"
expression
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈsmɔɫ/ /ˈaʊɝz/, /ˈaʊɹz
thuh SMALL OW-erz
ðə, ði/ /smˈɔːl/ /ˈaʊəz
thuh sm-AWL OW-uhz
Definition
The period of time after midnight and before sunrise, usually between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 or 5:00 a.m.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈsmɔɫ/ /ˈaʊɝz/, /ˈaʊɹz
British English
ðə, ði/ /smˈɔːl/ /ˈaʊəz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
thuh SMALL OW-erz
UK
thuh sm-AWL OW-uhz
Listen in Context
He fell asleep in the small hours of the morning.
They studied until the small hours.
The party ended in the small hours.
I was still awake in the small hours, thinking about my future.