How to pronounce Alabama
Say it like al-uh-BAM-uh. Alabama has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Alabama. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- al
- uh
- BAM
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alabama pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- alGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BAMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Alabama
American and British speakers say Alabama in essentially the same way: /ˌæləˈbæmə/ in the US and /ˌæləˈbæmə/ in the UK.
British respelling: al-uh-BAM-uh.
What does Alabama mean?
- A state of the United States. Capital: Montgomery. Largest city: Birmingham.
- A river in Alabama; flowing 318 miles from the confluence of the Tallapoosa and Coosa near Coosada until its confluence with the Tombigbee, forming the Mobile, near Calvert.
Where does Alabama come from?
Probably from French Alibamou or Alibamon, from Spanish Alibamo, from Alabama albaamo, the name for a member of a people native to the area.
Words that rhyme with Alabama
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Alabama.
Questions about saying Alabama
How do you pronounce Alabama?
Say al-uh-BAM-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌæləˈbæmə/. In British English it is /ˌæləˈbæmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Alabama?
Alabama has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAM). Broken into parts: al · uh · BAM · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say Alabama the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæləˈbæmə/ and the British form is /ˌæləˈbæmə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.