How to pronounce goombah
Say it like GOOM-bah. Goombah has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce goombah. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GOOM
- bah
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Goombah pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GOOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- bahKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of goombah
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
British respelling: goom-BAH.
What does goombah mean?
- A companion, pal, close friend, or associate, especially among Italian-American men. It sometimes has the connotation of an older friend who acts as a patron, protector or adviser.
- Alternative form of gumbe, a Jamaican drum.
Where does goombah come from?
To an English-speaking ear, the unaspirated stops of Southern Italian dialects (especially Neapolitan) are interpreted as voiced stops, yielding goombah.
Questions about saying goombah
How do you pronounce goombah?
Say GOOM-bah. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡumbɑ/. In British English it is /ɡuːmˈbɑː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in goombah?
Goombah has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOOM). Broken into parts: GOOM · bah.
Is goombah pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /ɡuːmˈbɑː/ (goom-BAH).