How to pronounce gumbo
Say it like GUHM-boh. Gumbo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gumbo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GUHM
- boh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gumbo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- bohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of gumbo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: GUHM-boh.
What does gumbo mean?
- Synonym of okra: the plant or its edible capsules.
- A soup or stew popular in Louisiana, consisting of a strong stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener (often okra), and the "Holy Trinity" of celery, bell peppers, and onions.
- A fine silty soil that when wet becomes very thick and heavy.
Where does gumbo come from?
Borrowed from Louisiana French gombo, possibly via Louisiana Creole gombo, from Kimbundu ingombo, plural of kingombo (“okra”); compare Portuguese quingombó.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with gumbo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gumbo.
Questions about saying gumbo
How do you pronounce gumbo?
Say GUHM-boh. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡʌmboʊ/. In British English it is /ˈɡʌmbəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gumbo?
Gumbo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GUHM). Broken into parts: GUHM · boh.
Is gumbo pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈɡʌmbəʊ/ (GUHM-boh).