How to pronounce coulee
Say it like KOO-lee. Coulee has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce coulee. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOO
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coulee pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of coulee
American and British speakers say coulee in essentially the same way: /ˈkuli/ in the US and /ˈkuːli/ in the UK.
British respelling: KOO-lee.
What does coulee mean?
- A stream, especially one in the western US or Canada, generally smaller than a bayou; it may (or may not) run dry in summer, may be sluggish, shallow, and wide (forming in effect a pond or slough), or may have formerly cut a deep gulch or ravine, but at present run dry.
- A reach of water in a bayou that is like a slough but deeper.
- A lava flow (whether molten or solidified).
Where does coulee come from?
From French coulée (“flow”), from couler (“to flow”).
Words that rhyme with coulee
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of coulee.
Words that sound like coulee
Questions about saying coulee
How do you pronounce coulee?
Say KOO-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkuli/. In British English it is /ˈkuːli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coulee?
Coulee has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOO). Broken into parts: KOO · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say coulee the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkuli/ and the British form is /ˈkuːli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as coulee?
Coulee sounds the same as coolly in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.