How to pronounce coconut
Say it like KOH-kuh-nuht. Coconut has three 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 coconut. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOH
- kuh
- nuht
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coconut 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.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nuhtGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of coconut
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KOH-kuh-nuht.
What does coconut mean?
- the edible white meat of a coconut; often shredded for use in e.g. cakes and curries
- large hard-shelled oval nut with a fibrous husk containing thick white meat surrounding a central cavity filled (when fresh) with fluid or milk
- tall palm tree bearing coconuts as fruits; widely planted throughout the tropics
Where does coconut come from?
From coco + nut. In reference to assimilated Hispanic or black people, derived from the fruit's exotic origins.
Questions about saying coconut
How do you pronounce coconut?
Say KOH-kuh-nuht. The American pronunciation is /ˈkoʊkəˌnʌt/. In British English it is /ˈkəʊkəˌnʌt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coconut?
Coconut has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOH). Broken into parts: KOH · kuh · nuht.
Is coconut 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 /ˈkəʊkəˌnʌt/ (KOH-kuh-nuht).