How to pronounce cobra
Say it like KOH-bruh. Cobra has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cobra. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOH
- bruh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cobra pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- bruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cobra
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KOH-bruh.
What does cobra mean?
- venomous Asiatic and African elapid snakes that can expand the skin of the neck into a hood
Where does cobra come from?
Borrowed from Portuguese cobra, from Latin colubra (“a female snake”).
Questions about saying cobra
How do you pronounce cobra?
Say KOH-bruh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkoʊbrə/. In British English it is /ˈkəʊbrə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cobra?
Cobra has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOH). Broken into parts: KOH · bruh.
Is cobra pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈkəʊbrə/ (KOH-bruh).