How to pronounce Bollywood
Say it like BOL-ee-wuud. Bollywood has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Bollywood. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BOL
- ee
- wuud
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bollywood pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- eeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- wuudKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of Bollywood
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BOL-ee-wuud.
Other ways to say Bollywood
Bollywood also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- BAW-lih-wuud /ˈbɔlɪˌwʊd/
What does Bollywood mean?
- The cinema of India in general, no matter the region.
Where does Bollywood come from?
Blend of Bombay + Hollywood.
Questions about saying Bollywood
How do you pronounce Bollywood?
Say BOL-ee-wuud. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑˌliwʊd/. In British English it is /ˈbɒliwʊd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Bollywood?
Bollywood has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOL). Broken into parts: BOL · ee · wuud.
Is Bollywood 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 /ˈbɒliwʊd/ (BOL-ee-wuud).