How to pronounce collywobbles
Say it like KOL-ee-wob-ulz. Collywobbles has four 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 collywobbles. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOL
- ee
- wob
- ulz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Collywobbles 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.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- wobGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ulzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of collywobbles
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOL-ih-wob-ulz.
What does collywobbles mean?
- A stomach ache or an upset stomach.“Petunia’s off school today with a touch of the collywobbles.”
- Anxiety, fear, uneasiness.“I don’t like walking through the forest at night. It gives me the collywobbles.”
Where does collywobbles come from?
Probably from colic (“severe pains that grip the abdomen”) + wobble (“unsteady motion”).
Questions about saying collywobbles
How do you pronounce collywobbles?
Say KOL-ee-wob-ulz. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑliˌwɑbəlz/. In British English it is /ˈkɒlɪwɒbəlz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in collywobbles?
Collywobbles has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOL). Broken into parts: KOL · ee · wob · ulz.
Is collywobbles 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 /ˈkɒlɪwɒbəlz/ (KOL-ih-wob-ulz).