New Survey Reveals NYC Accent Slowly Disappearing

Iconic New York City accent ranked 12th among U.S. cities hearing less of it in everyday conversations.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A nationwide survey by Word Finder has revealed that the iconic New York City accent is slowly disappearing from daily use, with the city ranking 12th among U.S. cities that are hearing less of the accent in everyday conversations. Residents and experts weigh in on the potential reasons behind this trend, including the influx of transplants, people moving away, and a desire to avoid stigmatization associated with the accent.

Why it matters

The New York City accent is a cultural hallmark that has long been associated with the city's identity. As the accent becomes less prevalent in everyday speech, it raises questions about the evolution of the city's linguistic landscape and the factors driving this change, such as demographic shifts and social pressures.

The details

The survey by Word Finder, an online resource for word game enthusiasts, found that New York City is ranked 12th among U.S. cities that are hearing less of its iconic accent in everyday conversations. Residents like Jeremy Reese and Hael Duran, who were born in Brooklyn and Staten Island respectively, have noticed changes in their own speech patterns, with Duran noting that he was told he has a long 'o' sound when visiting the South. Dr. Gail August, the chair of the Department of Language and Cognition at CUNY's Hostos Community College, suggests that the desire to avoid stigmatization associated with the accent may be a factor in its decline, as people seek the 'opportunities that come with standard speaking'.

  • The Word Finder survey was recently released in 2026.

The players

Word Finder

An online resource for word game enthusiasts that conducted a nationwide survey on the prevalence of regional accents, including the iconic New York City accent.

Jeremy Reese

An Upper West Side resident who has observed changes in the way New Yorkers speak.

Hael Duran

A Staten Island resident who was born in Brooklyn and has noticed differences in his own speech patterns when traveling outside of New York.

Dr. Gail August

The chair of the Department of Language and Cognition at CUNY's Hostos Community College, who provides insight into the potential reasons behind the decline of the New York City accent.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think accents will always do that only because you got folks transplants, you got folks moving, people are leaving.”

— Jeremy Reese, Upper West Side Resident (abc7ny.com)

“I was born in Brooklyn. I live in Staten Island right now, and I do think I have a New York accent. I've been down south and I was told that I talk with long o's. It's not supposed to be 'tolk,' it's supposed to be 'talk'.”

— Hael Duran, Staten Island Resident (abc7ny.com)

“For the people who face stigmatism are stigmatized by their accent, in a sense they want the opportunities that come with standard speaking.”

— Dr. Gail August, Chair, Department of Language and Cognition, CUNY's Hostos Community College (abc7ny.com)

The takeaway

The gradual decline of the iconic New York City accent reflects the evolving linguistic landscape of the city, driven by factors such as demographic changes, social pressures, and the desire for perceived 'standard' speech. As the accent becomes less prevalent, it raises questions about the preservation of this cultural hallmark and the broader implications for the city's identity.