How to pronounce cameo
Say it like KAM-ee-oh. Cameo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAM).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈkæmiˌoʊ/KAM-ee-oh
UK British/ˈkæmɪˌəʊ/KAM-ih-oh
- KAM
- ee
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cameo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of cameo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KAM-ih-oh.
What does cameo mean?
noun
- A piece of jewelry, etc., carved in relief.
- A single very brief appearance, especially by a prominent celebrity in a movie or song.“Famous comic book writer Stan Lee had a cameo in the Spider-Man movie. He was on screen for perhaps ten seconds, but aficionados distinctly remember him.”
- To appear in a cameo role.
Where does cameo come from?
Borrowed from Italian cammeo, from Medieval Latin camaeus, of unknown origin.
Questions about saying cameo
How do you pronounce cameo?
Say KAM-ee-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkæmiˌoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈkæmɪˌəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cameo?
Cameo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAM). Broken into parts: KAM · ee · oh.
Is cameo 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 /ˈkæmɪˌəʊ/ (KAM-ih-oh).