How to pronounce caravan
Say it like KAR-uh-van. Caravan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce caravan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAR
- uh
- van
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caravan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KARSay 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.
- vanGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of caravan
American and British speakers say caravan in essentially the same way: /ˈkærəˌvæn/ in the US and /ˈkærəˌvæn/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAR-uh-van.
Other ways to say caravan
Caravan also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KER-uh-van /ˈkɛrəˌvæn/
What does caravan mean?
- a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file“we were part of a caravan of almost a thousand camels”“they joined the wagon train for safety”
- a camper equipped with living quarters
- travel in a caravan
Where does caravan come from?
The word was used to designate a group of people who were traveling by camel or horse on the Silk Road.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying caravan
How do you pronounce caravan?
Say KAR-uh-van. The American pronunciation is /ˈkærəˌvæn/. In British English it is /ˈkærəˌvæn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caravan?
Caravan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR). Broken into parts: KAR · uh · van.
Do Americans and Brits say caravan the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkærəˌvæn/ and the British form is /ˈkærəˌvæn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.