How to pronounce Arkansas
Say it like AR-kun-sah. Arkansas has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Arkansas. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AR
- kun
- sah
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arkansas pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of Arkansas
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AH-kun-saw.
What does Arkansas mean?
- A state in the South Central region of the United States. Capital and largest city: Little Rock.
- A river in the United States, rising in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and flowing generally southeast over 1,400 miles through Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, where it joins the Mississippi in Desha County.
Where does Arkansas come from?
From the name of the Arkansas River, from French Arcansas, a (plural) designation of either a Siouan tribe or the Quapaw.
Questions about saying Arkansas
How do you pronounce Arkansas?
Say AR-kun-sah. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑrkənˌsɑ/. In British English it is /ˈɑːkənˌsɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Arkansas?
Arkansas has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR). Broken into parts: AR · kun · sah.
Is Arkansas 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 /ˈɑːkənˌsɔː/ (AH-kun-saw).