How to pronounce calico
Say it like KAL-ih-koh. Calico has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce calico. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈkælɪkoʊ/KAL-ih-koh
UK British/ˈkælɪkəʊ/KAL-ih-koh
- KAL
- ih
- koh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Calico pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of calico
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KAL-ih-koh.
What does calico mean?
noun
- A kind of rough cloth made from unbleached and not fully processed cotton, often printed with a bright pattern.
- The plant disease caused by Tobacco mosaic virus.
- Made of calico or resembling the color of calico cloth, having a pattern of red and contrasting areas; variegated.“The calico cat had distinctive red and dark markings.”
- Having red, brunette, and blond hair colors, resembling the fur of a calico cat.
Questions about saying calico
How do you pronounce calico?
Say KAL-ih-koh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkælɪkoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈkælɪkəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in calico?
Calico has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL). Broken into parts: KAL · ih · koh.
Is calico pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈkælɪkəʊ/ (KAL-ih-koh).