How to pronounce esophagus
Say it like ih-SOF-uh-gus. Esophagus has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SOF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce esophagus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ih
- SOF
- uh
- gus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Esophagus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SOFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of esophagus
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ih-SOF-uh-gus.
What does esophagus mean?
- Alternative spelling of oesophagus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with esophagus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of esophagus.
Questions about saying esophagus
How do you pronounce esophagus?
Say ih-SOF-uh-gus. The American pronunciation is /ɪˈsɑfəɡəs/. In British English it is /ɪˈsɒfəɡəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in esophagus?
Esophagus has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SOF). Broken into parts: ih · SOF · uh · gus.
Is esophagus 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 /ɪˈsɒfəɡəs/ (ih-SOF-uh-gus).