How to pronounce armadillo
Say it like ar-muh-DIL-oh. Armadillo has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce armadillo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ar
- muh
- DIL
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Armadillo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- arKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of armadillo
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ah-muh-DIL-oh.
What does armadillo mean?
- Any of the burrowing mammals in the families Dasypodidae, Chlamyphoridae, Tolypeutidae and Euphractidae in the order Cingulata, found in the Americas, especially South America, and covered with bony, jointed protective plates.
Where does armadillo come from?
Borrowed from Spanish armadillo, diminutive of armado (“armored”), in reference to its protective plates.
Words that rhyme with armadillo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of armadillo.
Questions about saying armadillo
How do you pronounce armadillo?
Say ar-muh-DIL-oh. The American pronunciation is /ɑrməˈdɪloʊ/. In British English it is /ɑːməˈdɪləʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in armadillo?
Armadillo has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DIL). Broken into parts: ar · muh · DIL · oh.
Is armadillo 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 /ɑːməˈdɪləʊ/ (ah-muh-DIL-oh).