How to pronounce boomerang
Say it like BOO-muh-rang. Boomerang has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce boomerang. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BOO
- muh
- rang
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Boomerang 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.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rangGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of boomerang
American and British speakers say boomerang in essentially the same way: /ˈbuməˌræŋ/ in the US and /ˈbuːməræŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: BOO-muh-rang.
What does boomerang mean?
- To return or rebound unexpectedly, especially when the result is undesired; to backfire.
- To travel in a curved path.
- To abort a mission and return to base early.
- Any of various traditional throwing sticks used for hunting or combat by Australian aborigines, including the symmetrical, crescent-shaped, type (the returning boomerang).
- A flat curved airfoil that spins about an axis perpendicular to the direction of flight, originally used in various parts of the world as a hunting weapon or, in returnable types, for sports or training.
- A breakdancing move in which the performer walks on their hands while keeping the legs raised off the ground.
Where does boomerang come from?
Origin uncertain. Possibly from Thurawal.
Questions about saying boomerang
How do you pronounce boomerang?
Say BOO-muh-rang. The American pronunciation is /ˈbuməˌræŋ/. In British English it is /ˈbuːməræŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in boomerang?
Boomerang has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOO). Broken into parts: BOO · muh · rang.
Do Americans and Brits say boomerang the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbuməˌræŋ/ and the British form is /ˈbuːməræŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.