How to pronounce gewgaw
Say it like GHYOO-gaw. Gewgaw has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GHYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gewgaw. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GHYOO
- gaw
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gewgaw pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GHYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- gawKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of gewgaw
American and British speakers say gewgaw in essentially the same way: /ˈɡjuɡɔ/ in the US and /ˈɡjuːɡɔː/ in the UK.
British respelling: GHYOO-gaw.
What does gewgaw mean?
- A showy trifle, a toy; a showy trinket, ornament or decoration.
- Showy; unreal; pretentious.
Where does gewgaw come from?
From earlier gugaw, gygaw, from Middle English givegove (“gewgaw, trifle”), a reduplication of Middle English give, geove (“gift”), from Old English giefu, geofu, geafu (“gift”), from Proto-Germanic *gebō (“gift”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying gewgaw
How do you pronounce gewgaw?
Say GHYOO-gaw. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡjuɡɔ/. In British English it is /ˈɡjuːɡɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gewgaw?
Gewgaw has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GHYOO). Broken into parts: GHYOO · gaw.
Do Americans and Brits say gewgaw the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡjuɡɔ/ and the British form is /ˈɡjuːɡɔː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.