How to pronounce eau
Say it like OH. Eau is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce eau. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Eau pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of eau
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH.
What does eau mean?
- Alternative form of ea.
- Water.
Where does eau come from?
From Middle English ea, eo, from Old English ēa (“running water, water, stream, river”), from Proto-Germanic *ahwō (“waters, river”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ekʷeh₂ (“water, flowing water”).
Words that rhyme with eau
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of eau.
Words that sound like eau
Questions about saying eau
How do you pronounce eau?
Say OH. The American pronunciation is /oʊ/. In British English it is /əʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in eau?
Eau is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: OH.
Is eau pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /əʊ/ (OH).
What words sound the same as eau?
Eau sounds the same as owe in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.