How to pronounce elbow
Say it like EL-boh. Elbow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elbow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EL
- boh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elbow pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- bohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of elbow
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: EL-boh.
What does elbow mean?
- hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
- a sharp bend in a road or river
- a length of pipe with a sharp bend in it
- push one's way with the elbows
- shove one's elbow into another person's ribs
Where does elbow come from?
From Middle English elbowe (“elbow”), from Old English elboga, elnboga (“elbow”), from Proto-Germanic *alinabugô (“elbow”), equivalent to ell + bow.
Questions about saying elbow
How do you pronounce elbow?
Say EL-boh. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛlˌboʊ/. In British English it is /ˈɛlˌbəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elbow?
Elbow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EL). Broken into parts: EL · boh.
Is elbow 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 /ˈɛlˌbəʊ/ (EL-boh).