How to pronounce caboose
Say it like kuh-BOOS. Caboose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce caboose. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- BOOS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caboose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BOOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of caboose
American and British speakers say caboose in essentially the same way: /kəˈbus/ in the US and /kəˈbuːs/ in the UK.
British respelling: kuh-BOOS.
What does caboose mean?
- The last car on a freight train, consisting of cooking and sleeping facilities for the crew; a guard’s van.
- The buttocks.
- The person or team in last place.
Where does caboose come from?
Cognate with German Kabüse, Kombüse, Danish kabys, Swedish kabyss, French combuse (< Middle Dutch kabuys).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with caboose
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of caboose.
Questions about saying caboose
How do you pronounce caboose?
Say kuh-BOOS. The American pronunciation is /kəˈbus/. In British English it is /kəˈbuːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caboose?
Caboose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOOS). Broken into parts: kuh · BOOS.
Do Americans and Brits say caboose the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəˈbus/ and the British form is /kəˈbuːs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.