How to pronounce cottonwood
Say it like KOT-un-wuud. Cottonwood 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 cottonwood. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOT
- un
- wuud
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cottonwood 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.
- wuudGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of cottonwood
- 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-wuud.
What does cottonwood mean?
- A tree from one of number of species of tree in the genus Populus (poplars), typically growing along watercourses, with fluffy catkins.
- Populus sect. Aigeiros, a taxonomic section of the poplar genus
- A cottonwood hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum, syn. Hibiscus tiliaceus), a flowering shrub or tree in the mallow family.
Where does cottonwood come from?
From cotton + wood.
Questions about saying cottonwood
How do you pronounce cottonwood?
Say KOT-un-wuud. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑtənˌwʊd/. In British English it is /ˈkɒtənˌwʊd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cottonwood?
Cottonwood has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOT). Broken into parts: KOT · un · wuud.
Is cottonwood 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 /ˈkɒtənˌwʊd/ (KOT-un-wuud).