How to pronounce chiaroscuro
Say it like kyar-uh-SKYUUR-oh. Chiaroscuro has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SKYUUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce chiaroscuro. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kyar
- uh
- SKYUUR
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Chiaroscuro pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kyarGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SKYUURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of chiaroscuro
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 5.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: kih-ah-ruh-SKOOR-roh.
What does chiaroscuro mean?
- An artistic technique developed during the Renaissance, referring to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark in order to create the illusion of volume.
- A monochrome picture made by using several different shades of the same color.
- A woodcut technique in which several woodcut blocks are used to print different shades of a color, or a woodcut print made by this technique.
- Possessing the qualities of a work of chiaroscuro.
Where does chiaroscuro come from?
First attested in the mid-17th century, borrowed from Italian chiaroscuro, from chiaro (“clear, bright”) + oscuro (“dark, obscure”).
Words that rhyme with chiaroscuro
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of chiaroscuro.
Questions about saying chiaroscuro
How do you pronounce chiaroscuro?
Say kyar-uh-SKYUUR-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˌkjɑrəˈskjʊroʊ/. In British English it is /kɪˌɑːrəˈskʊərəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in chiaroscuro?
Chiaroscuro has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SKYUUR). Broken into parts: kyar · uh · SKYUUR · oh.
Is chiaroscuro pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 5. The British form is /kɪˌɑːrəˈskʊərəʊ/ (kih-ah-ruh-SKOOR-roh).