How to pronounce coxswain
Say it like KAHK-sun. Coxswain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce coxswain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAHK
- sun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coxswain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of coxswain
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOK-sun.
What does coxswain mean?
- In a ship's boat, the helmsman given charge of the boat's crew.
- The member of a crew who steers the shell and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.
- A rank or position.
- To act as coxswain for.
Where does coxswain come from?
From Middle English cokswain, equivalent to cock (“small boat”) + swain (“boy, servant”).
Words that rhyme with coxswain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of coxswain.
Questions about saying coxswain
How do you pronounce coxswain?
Say KAHK-sun. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑksən/. In British English it is /ˈkɒksən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coxswain?
Coxswain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHK). Broken into parts: KAHK · sun.
Is coxswain 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 /ˈkɒksən/ (KOK-sun).