How to pronounce cucumber
Say it like KYOO-kum-ber. Cucumber has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cucumber. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KYOO
- kum
- ber
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cucumber pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cucumber
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KYOO-kuhm-buh.
What does cucumber mean?
- A vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.
- The edible fruit of this plant, having a green rind and crisp white flesh.
- A person who is calm and self-possessed.
Where does cucumber come from?
From Middle English cucumer, cucumber, from Old French cocombre, ultimately from Latin cucumis, cucumerem (possibly through an Old Occitan intermediate).
Questions about saying cucumber
How do you pronounce cucumber?
Say KYOO-kum-ber. The American pronunciation is /ˈkjukəmbɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cucumber?
Cucumber has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KYOO). Broken into parts: KYOO · kum · ber.
Is cucumber pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə/ (KYOO-kuhm-buh).