How to pronounce boa
Say it like BOH-uh. Boa has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce boa. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BOH
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Boa pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of boa
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BOH-uh.
What does boa mean?
- Any of a group of large American snakes, of the genus Boa, subfamily Boinae, or family Boidae, including the boa constrictor and the emperor boa of Mexico.
- A type of long scarf; typically made from synthetic or real feathers (or occasionally fur), and usually worn by being draped across the shoulders with the ends hanging low, sometimes also with a loop around the neck.
Where does boa come from?
From Middle English boa, from Latin boa (“large snake”), a species of serpent mentioned in Pliny's Naturalis Historia (Natural History).
Questions about saying boa
How do you pronounce boa?
Say BOH-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˈboʊə/. In British English it is /ˈbəʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in boa?
Boa has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOH). Broken into parts: BOH · uh.
Is boa 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 /ˈbəʊə/ (BOH-uh).