How to pronounce balky
Say it like BAW-kee. Balky has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce balky. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAW
- kee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Balky pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- keeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of balky
American and British speakers say balky in essentially the same way: /ˈbɔki/ in the US and /ˈbɔːki/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAW-kee.
What does balky mean?
- Refusing to proceed or cooperate.
Where does balky come from?
From balk + -y.
Words that rhyme with balky
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of balky.
Questions about saying balky
How do you pronounce balky?
Say BAW-kee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɔki/. In British English it is /ˈbɔːki/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in balky?
Balky has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAW). Broken into parts: BAW · kee.
Do Americans and Brits say balky the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɔki/ and the British form is /ˈbɔːki/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.