How to pronounce cannabis
Say it like KAN-uh-bus. Cannabis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cannabis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAN
- uh
- bus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cannabis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- busKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cannabis
American and British speakers say cannabis in essentially the same way: /ˈkænəbəs/ in the US and /ˈkænəbɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAN-uh-bis.
What does cannabis mean?
- any plant of the genus Cannabis; a coarse bushy annual with palmate leaves and clusters of small green flowers; yields tough fibers and narcotic drugs
- the most commonly used illicit drug; considered a soft drug, it consists of the dried leaves of the hemp plant; smoked or chewed for euphoric effect
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying cannabis
How do you pronounce cannabis?
Say KAN-uh-bus. The American pronunciation is /ˈkænəbəs/. In British English it is /ˈkænəbɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cannabis?
Cannabis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN). Broken into parts: KAN · uh · bus.
Do Americans and Brits say cannabis the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkænəbəs/ and the British form is /ˈkænəbɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.