How to pronounce cottonmouth
Say it like KOT-un-mowth. Cottonmouth has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cottonmouth. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOT
- un
- mowth
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cottonmouth pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- mowthGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of cottonmouth
- 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: KOT-un-mowth.
What does cottonmouth mean?
- An oral dryness often associated with certain medicines and recreational drugs.
- A snake, Agkistrodon piscivorus, the water moccasin.
- A snake, Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen, the northern copperhead.
Where does cottonmouth come from?
From cotton + mouth.
Questions about saying cottonmouth
How do you pronounce cottonmouth?
Say KOT-un-mowth. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑtənˌmaʊθ/. In British English it is /ˈkɒtənˌmaʊθ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cottonmouth?
Cottonmouth has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOT). Broken into parts: KOT · un · mowth.
Is cottonmouth 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 /ˈkɒtənˌmaʊθ/ (KOT-un-mowth).