How to pronounce cosmopolitan
Say it like koz-muh-POL-uh-tun. Cosmopolitan has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cosmopolitan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- koz
- muh
- POL
- uh
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cosmopolitan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kozGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cosmopolitan
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: koz-muh-POL-ih-tun.
What does cosmopolitan mean?
- A cosmopolitan person; a cosmopolite.
- A cocktail containing vodka, triple sec, lime juice and cranberry juice.
- A butterfly of species Vanessa cardui.
- Inclusive; affecting the whole world.
- Composed of people from all over the world.
- At ease in any part of the world; having a wide experience with many cultures.
Where does cosmopolitan come from?
From cosmopolit(e) + -an.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with cosmopolitan
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cosmopolitan.
Questions about saying cosmopolitan
How do you pronounce cosmopolitan?
Say koz-muh-POL-uh-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑzməˈpɑlətən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cosmopolitan?
Cosmopolitan has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POL). Broken into parts: koz · muh · POL · uh · tun.
Is cosmopolitan 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 /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtən/ (koz-muh-POL-ih-tun).