How to pronounce gorilla
Say it like guh-RIL-uh. Gorilla has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gorilla. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- guh
- RIL
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gorilla pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- guhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of gorilla
American and British speakers say gorilla in essentially the same way: /ɡəˈrɪlə/ in the US and /ɡəˈrɪlə/ in the UK.
British respelling: guh-RIL-uh.
What does gorilla mean?
- largest anthropoid ape; terrestrial and vegetarian; of forests of central west Africa
Words that rhyme with gorilla
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gorilla.
Words that sound like gorilla
Questions about saying gorilla
How do you pronounce gorilla?
Say guh-RIL-uh. The American pronunciation is /ɡəˈrɪlə/. In British English it is /ɡəˈrɪlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gorilla?
Gorilla has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIL). Broken into parts: guh · RIL · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say gorilla the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɡəˈrɪlə/ and the British form is /ɡəˈrɪlə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as gorilla?
Gorilla sounds the same as guerilla, guerrilla in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.