How to pronounce broccoli
Say it like BROK-uh-lee. Broccoli has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BROK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce broccoli. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BROK
- uh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Broccoli pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BROKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of broccoli
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BROK-uh-lee.
What does broccoli mean?
- plant with dense clusters of tight green flower buds
- branched green undeveloped flower heads
Where does broccoli come from?
First attested in 1699, Italian broccoli, plural of broccolo (“cabbage sprout, head”), diminutive of brocco (“shoot, sprout”) (which is also the origin of brocade), from Latin broccus (“pointed, sharp, projecting; buck-toothed”), possibly o
Questions about saying broccoli
How do you pronounce broccoli?
Say BROK-uh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbrɑkəli/. In British English it is /ˈbrɒkəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in broccoli?
Broccoli has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BROK). Broken into parts: BROK · uh · lee.
Is broccoli 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 /ˈbrɒkəli/ (BROK-uh-lee).