How to pronounce crawfish
Say it like KRAW-fish. Crawfish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce crawfish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KRAW
- fish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Crawfish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KRAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- fishGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of crawfish
American and British speakers say crawfish in essentially the same way: /ˈkrɔˌfɪʃ/ in the US and /ˈkrɒˌfɪʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: KROF-ish.
What does crawfish mean?
- Any of various freshwater crustaceans: crayfish.
- Any of various marine crustaceans, rock lobster; especially Jasus lalandii, the Cape crawfish.
- To fish for crawfish.
- To backpedal, desert or withdraw (also used with out).
Where does crawfish come from?
1620s, folk etymology (compare crawl) from Middle English crevis, from Old French crevice (“crab”) (French écrevisse), influenced by fish.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with crawfish
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of crawfish.
Questions about saying crawfish
How do you pronounce crawfish?
Say KRAW-fish. The American pronunciation is /ˈkrɔˌfɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈkrɒˌfɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in crawfish?
Crawfish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRAW). Broken into parts: KRAW · fish.
Do Americans and Brits say crawfish the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkrɔˌfɪʃ/ and the British form is /ˈkrɒˌfɪʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.