How to pronounce abracadabra
Say it like ab-ruh-kuh-DAB-ruh. Abracadabra has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (DAB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abracadabra. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ab
- ruh
- kuh
- DAB
- ruh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abracadabra pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- abGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abracadabra
American and British speakers say abracadabra in essentially the same way: /ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/ in the US and /ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/ in the UK.
British respelling: ab-ruh-kuh-DAB-ruh.
What does abracadabra mean?
- A use of the mystical term ‘abracadabra’, supposed to work as part of a healing charm or a magical spell; any spell or incantation making use of the word.
- Arcane and obscure language of occult rituals or mystical practices.
- Mumbo jumbo; obscure language or technicalities; jargon.“I don’t know all the theoretical abracadabra about how it works, I’m only its pilot.”
- Used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed.
Where does abracadabra come from?
Learned borrowing from Late Latin abracadabra.
Questions about saying abracadabra
How do you pronounce abracadabra?
Say ab-ruh-kuh-DAB-ruh. The American pronunciation is /ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/. In British English it is /ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abracadabra?
Abracadabra has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (DAB). Broken into parts: ab · ruh · kuh · DAB · ruh.
Do Americans and Brits say abracadabra the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/ and the British form is /ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.