How to pronounce alcoholic
Say it like al-kuh-HOL-ik. Alcoholic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HOL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alcoholic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- al
- kuh
- HOL
- ik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alcoholic 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.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- HOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of alcoholic
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: al-kuh-HOL-ik.
What does alcoholic mean?
- a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
- characteristic of or containing alcohol“alcoholic drinks”
- addicted to alcohol“alcoholic expatriates in Paris”
Where does alcoholic come from?
First attested 1891, from alcohol + -ic.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with alcoholic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of alcoholic.
Questions about saying alcoholic
How do you pronounce alcoholic?
Say al-kuh-HOL-ik. The American pronunciation is /ˌælkəˈhɑlɪk/. In British English it is /ˌælkəˈhɒlɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alcoholic?
Alcoholic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HOL). Broken into parts: al · kuh · HOL · ik.
Is alcoholic 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 /ˌælkəˈhɒlɪk/ (al-kuh-HOL-ik).