How to pronounce corduroy
Say it like KOR-duh-roy. Corduroy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce corduroy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOR
- duh
- roy
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Corduroy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- royKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of corduroy
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAW-duh-roy.
What does corduroy mean?
- A heavy fabric, usually made of cotton, with vertical ribs.
- A pattern on snow resulting from the use of a snow groomer to pack snow and improve skiing, snowboarding and snowmobile trail conditions. Corduroy is widely regarded as a good surface on which to ski or ride.
- To make (a road) by laying down split logs or tree-trunks over a marsh, swamp etc.
- Of a road, path, etc., paved with split or round logs laid crosswise side by side.
Where does corduroy come from?
Origin uncertain. Probably from cord + duroy (“a 17th century coarse fabric made in England”).
Questions about saying corduroy
How do you pronounce corduroy?
Say KOR-duh-roy. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɔrdərɔɪ/. In British English it is /ˈkɔːdəˌrɔɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in corduroy?
Corduroy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOR). Broken into parts: KOR · duh · roy.
Is corduroy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkɔːdəˌrɔɪ/ (KAW-duh-roy).