How to pronounce comma
Say it like KAH-muh. Comma has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce comma. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAH
- muh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Comma pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of comma
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOM-uh.
What does comma mean?
- The punctuation mark ⟨,⟩ used to indicate a set of parts of a sentence or between elements of a list.
- A similar-looking subscript diacritical mark.
- Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Polygonia, having a comma-shaped white mark on the underwings, especially Polygonia c-album and Polygonia c-aureum of North Africa, Europe, and Asia.
- To place a comma or commas within text; to follow, precede, or surround a portion of text with commas.
Words that rhyme with comma
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of comma.
Questions about saying comma
How do you pronounce comma?
Say KAH-muh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmə/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in comma?
Comma has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH). Broken into parts: KAH · muh.
Is comma 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 /ˈkɒmə/ (KOM-uh).