How to pronounce accordion
Say it like uh-KOR-dee-un. Accordion has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce accordion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- KOR
- dee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Accordion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of accordion
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uh-KAW-dee-un.
What does accordion mean?
- A box-shaped musical instrument played by compressing or expanding its bellows while pressing its buttons or its keys, causing pallets to open, which allow air to flow across strips of brass or steel (reeds).
- A vertical list of items that can be individually expanded and collapsed to reveal their contents.
- Something, or set of things (concepts, etc), which can be expanded (or extended) and collapsed, like the musical instrument's pleated, folding bellows.
- To fold up, in the manner of an accordion
Where does accordion come from?
First attested in 1831.
Questions about saying accordion
How do you pronounce accordion?
Say uh-KOR-dee-un. The American pronunciation is /əˈkɔrdiən/. In British English it is /əˈkɔːdiən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in accordion?
Accordion has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOR). Broken into parts: uh · KOR · dee · un.
Is accordion pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /əˈkɔːdiən/ (uh-KAW-dee-un).