How to pronounce cochineal
Say it like koch-ih-NEE-ul. Cochineal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cochineal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- koch
- ih
- NEE
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cochineal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kochGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- NEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cochineal
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: koch-ih-NEEL.
What does cochineal mean?
- A scale insect of the species Dactylopius coccus, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, which lives on prickly pear cacti (genus Opuntia).
- A vivid red dye made from the dried bodies of cochineal insects.
- The vivid red color of this dye.
- Possessing a vivid red color, as or as if produced from dyeing with cochineal dye (noun sense 2).
Where does cochineal come from?
The adjective is derived from the noun.
Words that rhyme with cochineal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cochineal.
Questions about saying cochineal
How do you pronounce cochineal?
Say koch-ih-NEE-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑtʃɪˈniəl/. In British English it is /ˌkɒtʃɪˈniːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cochineal?
Cochineal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEE). Broken into parts: koch · ih · NEE · ul.
Is cochineal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ˌkɒtʃɪˈniːl/ (koch-ih-NEEL).