How to pronounce bellicose
Say it like BEL-ih-kohs. Bellicose has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bellicose. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEL
- ih
- kohs
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bellicose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kohsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of bellicose
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BEL-ih-kohs.
What does bellicose mean?
- Warlike or combative in nature; aggressively hostile.“You don't have to be so bellicose, and we can work out a peaceful solution.”
Where does bellicose come from?
From Middle English bellicose, from Latin bellicosus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying bellicose
How do you pronounce bellicose?
Say BEL-ih-kohs. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɛlɪkoʊs/. In British English it is /ˈbɛlɪkəʊs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bellicose?
Bellicose has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEL). Broken into parts: BEL · ih · kohs.
Is bellicose pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈbɛlɪkəʊs/ (BEL-ih-kohs).