How to pronounce alcohol
Say it like AL-kuh-hol. Alcohol has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alcohol. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈælkəˌhɑl/AL-kuh-hol
UK British/ˈælkəˌhɒl/AL-kuh-hol
- AL
- kuh
- hol
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alcohol pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- holGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of alcohol
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: AL-kuh-hol.
What does alcohol mean?
noun
- a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent“alcohol (or drink) ruined him”
- any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation
Questions about saying alcohol
How do you pronounce alcohol?
Say AL-kuh-hol. The American pronunciation is /ˈælkəˌhɑl/. In British English it is /ˈælkəˌhɒl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alcohol?
Alcohol has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL). Broken into parts: AL · kuh · hol.
Is alcohol pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈælkəˌhɒl/ (AL-kuh-hol).