How to pronounce Arizona
Say it like er-ih-ZOH-nuh. Arizona has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Arizona. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- er
- ih
- ZOH
- nuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arizona pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- erGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Arizona
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ar-ih-ZOH-nuh.
What does Arizona mean?
- A state in the southwestern United States, established 1912. Capital: Phoenix.
Where does Arizona come from?
Suggestions of derivation from *arizuma, supposedly a Nahuatl word meaning “silver-bearing”, are considered implausible, and derivation from árida zona (literally “dry zone”) is considered a folk etymology.
Words that rhyme with Arizona
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Arizona.
Questions about saying Arizona
How do you pronounce Arizona?
Say er-ih-ZOH-nuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛrɪˈzoʊnə/. In British English it is /ˌærɪˈzəʊnə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Arizona?
Arizona has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZOH). Broken into parts: er · ih · ZOH · nuh.
Is Arizona pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌærɪˈzəʊnə/ (ar-ih-ZOH-nuh).