How to pronounce college
Say it like KOL-ij. College has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce college. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOL
- ij
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
College pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ijKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of college
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOL-ij.
What does college mean?
- the body of faculty and students of a college
- an institution of higher education created to educate and grant degrees; often a part of a university
- a complex of buildings in which an institution of higher education is housed
Where does college come from?
From Middle English college, from Middle French college, from Old French college, from Latin collēgium.
Words that rhyme with college
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of college.
Questions about saying college
How do you pronounce college?
Say KOL-ij. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑlɪdʒ/. In British English it is /ˈkɒlɪdʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in college?
College has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOL). Broken into parts: KOL · ij.
Is college pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒlɪdʒ/ (KOL-ij).