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Hear "Aunt"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say aunt the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it slide into a-yunt /æjʌnt/ ~ /æjənt/ ("a" with a "y" glide + "nt") - just like the little bug - or even ay-eent, which is pretty much two syllables and rhymes a bit with "ain’t." Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips and sentences.

#SouthernAccents  

Example Audio in Sentences

1) "Aunt Phyllis said to holler at 'er when you get back." Translates to "Aunt Phyllis wants you to call her when you get home."

2) "I reckon I saw Aunt Tootsie last time I's down't t'restrurnt." Translates to "I believe I saw Aunt Tootsie the last time I was at the restaurant."

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Try both ways: say it once as "ant" (short and flat) and once as "aint" (long and drawn out). Practice each until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

Related Pages

Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "aunt"?
Many say it as "ant," but "aint" with a long vowel is also common.
Is one pronunciation more Southern than the other?
Both occur throughout the South; "ant" tends to dominate in everyday speech, but "aint" is still widely heard.
How can I practice saying "aunt" in a Southern accent?
Listen to our audio clip several times, focusing on the vowel sound. Repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.
Why are there two pronunciations?
Regional influences, family traditions, and vowel shifts shape how people say "aunt" across the South.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Aunt. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/aunt
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Aunt." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/aunt.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Aunt." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/aunt.

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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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
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