How to pronounce backgammon
Say it like BAK-gam-un. Backgammon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce backgammon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAK
- gam
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Backgammon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- gamGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of backgammon
American and British speakers say backgammon in essentially the same way: /ˈbækˌɡæmən/ in the US and /ˈbækˌɡæmən/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAK-gam-un.
What does backgammon mean?
- A board game for two players in which each has 15 stones which move between 24 triangular points according to the roll of a pair of dice; the object is to move all of one's pieces around, and bear them off the board.
- A victory in the game when the loser has not borne off a stone, and still has one or more stones in the winner's inner home row or on the bar.
- To win at a backgammon game with the opponent having one or more pieces in the winner’s inner home row or on the bar.
Where does backgammon come from?
Probably from back + Middle English gamen, from Old English gamen (“amusement, game”).
Questions about saying backgammon
How do you pronounce backgammon?
Say BAK-gam-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈbækˌɡæmən/. In British English it is /ˈbækˌɡæmən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in backgammon?
Backgammon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK). Broken into parts: BAK · gam · un.
Do Americans and Brits say backgammon the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbækˌɡæmən/ and the British form is /ˈbækˌɡæmən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.