How to pronounce ballcock
Say it like BAWL-kok. Ballcock has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ballcock. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAWL
- kok
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ballcock pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- kokKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of ballcock
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BAWL-kok.
What does ballcock mean?
- An automated valve mechanism, attached to a large floating sphere, that controls the level of liquid in a cistern.
Where does ballcock come from?
From ball + cock. First attested in 1734.
Questions about saying ballcock
How do you pronounce ballcock?
Say BAWL-kok. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɔlkɑk/. In British English it is /ˈbɔːlkɒk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ballcock?
Ballcock has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAWL). Broken into parts: BAWL · kok.
Is ballcock pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈbɔːlkɒk/ (BAWL-kok).