How to pronounce boo
Say it like BOO. Boo is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce boo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BOO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Boo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of boo
American and British speakers say boo in essentially the same way: /bu/ in the US and /buː/ in the UK.
British respelling: BOO.
What does boo mean?
- show displeasure, as after a performance or speech
- a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
Where does boo come from?
From earlier (15c.) boh, coined to create a loud and startling sound.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with boo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of boo.
Questions about saying boo
How do you pronounce boo?
Say BOO. The American pronunciation is /bu/. In British English it is /buː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in boo?
Boo is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: BOO.
Do Americans and Brits say boo the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bu/ and the British form is /buː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.