How to pronounce cauliflower
Say it like KAH-luh-flow-er. Cauliflower has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cauliflower. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAH
- luh
- flow
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cauliflower pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- flowGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cauliflower
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAW-lih-flow-uh.
What does cauliflower mean?
- Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, an annual variety of cabbage, of which the cluster of young flower stalks and buds is eaten as a vegetable.
- The edible head or curd of a cauliflower plant.
- The swelling of a cauliflower ear.
- To (cause to) swell up like a cauliflower ear.
Where does cauliflower come from?
From 16th century cole-florye, equivalent to cole (from Latin caulis) + flower, reformed to more closely match the Latin etymon.By surface analysis, caul(is) + -i- + flower.
Questions about saying cauliflower
How do you pronounce cauliflower?
Say KAH-luh-flow-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑləˌflaʊɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkɔːlɪˌflaʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cauliflower?
Cauliflower has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH). Broken into parts: KAH · luh · flow · er.
Is cauliflower 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 /ˈkɔːlɪˌflaʊə/ (KAW-lih-flow-uh).