How to pronounce cowbell
Say it like KOW-bel. Cowbell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cowbell. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOW
- bel
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cowbell pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- belGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of cowbell
American and British speakers say cowbell in essentially the same way: /ˈkaʊˌbɛl/ in the US and /ˈkaʊˌbɛl/ in the UK.
British respelling: KOW-bel.
What does cowbell mean?
- A bell worn by cows; sometimes with an ornate strap.
- A musical instrument, typically found without a clapper.“This song would sound better with the addition of a cowbell.”
- Misconstruction of bell cow.
Where does cowbell come from?
From cow + bell.
Questions about saying cowbell
How do you pronounce cowbell?
Say KOW-bel. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaʊˌbɛl/. In British English it is /ˈkaʊˌbɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cowbell?
Cowbell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOW). Broken into parts: KOW · bel.
Do Americans and Brits say cowbell the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkaʊˌbɛl/ and the British form is /ˈkaʊˌbɛl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.