How to pronounce carnation
Say it like kar-NAY-shun. Carnation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce carnation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kar
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carnation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- karKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of carnation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kah-NAY-shun.
What does carnation mean?
- originally, Dianthus caryophyllus
- other members of genus Dianthus and hybrids
- The type of flower they bear, originally flesh-colored, but since hybridizing found in a variety of colors.
- Of a rosy pink or red color.
Where does carnation come from?
From Middle French carnation (“flesh color, complexion”), either via Italian carnagione (“flesh color”) or directly from Late Latin carnātiō (“fleshiness”), from Latin carō (“flesh, meat”) + ātiō (“-ation”).
Words that rhyme with carnation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of carnation.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying carnation
How do you pronounce carnation?
Say kar-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /kɑrˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /kɑːˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carnation?
Carnation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAY). Broken into parts: kar · NAY · shun.
Is carnation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /kɑːˈneɪʃən/ (kah-NAY-shun).