Hear "Of"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say of the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it as uh-uv /əʌv/ ~ /əv/ - one syllable that almost feels like two - or just a quick uh /ə/ in casual speech. Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips and sentences.

#SouthernAccents #CommonFunctionWords

Variations

In everyday speech, you usually don't hear the end of the word. /ə/

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to each clip a few times. Start with a soft "uh" sound, glide into a faint "uv" for uh-uv, or clip it down to a quick "uh" in fast speech. Keep it one syllable that nearly splits into two.

Kin Topics

Common Function Words

Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "of"?

In careful speech you’ll hear "uh-uv" (soft "uv" ending), but in quick talk it’s often just "uh" with the "v" dropped entirely.

Is one more Southern than the other?

Both occur across the region. "uh" is the faster, more casual variant; "uh-uv" shows up when words are stressed or slowed down.

How can I practice?

Start with a clear "of," then reduce it to "uh-uv" by softening the "v." Practice clipping it even further to just "uh."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 24). Of. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/of
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Of." HillbillySlang.com, 24 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/of.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Of." HillbillySlang.com. September 24, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/of.

Regional Note

Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.

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