How to pronounce equinox
Say it like EE-kwuh-noks. Equinox has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce equinox. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EE
- kwuh
- noks
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Equinox pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kwuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- noksGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of equinox
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: EK-wih-noks.
What does equinox mean?
- One of two times in the year (one in March and the other in September) when the length of the day and the night are equal, which occurs when the sun is directly overhead at the equator; this marks the beginning of spring in one hemisphere and autumn in the other.
- The circumstance of a twenty-four hour time period having the day and night of equal length.
- One of the two points in space where the apparent path of the Sun intersects with the equatorial plane of the Earth.
Where does equinox come from?
The rare alternative plural form equinoctes treats equinox as if it were a Latin word; the plural of Latin nox (“night”) is noctēs.
Questions about saying equinox
How do you pronounce equinox?
Say EE-kwuh-noks. The American pronunciation is /ˈikwəˌnɑks/. In British English it is /ˈɛkwɪnɒks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in equinox?
Equinox has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · kwuh · noks.
Is equinox 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 /ˈɛkwɪnɒks/ (EK-wih-noks).