How to pronounce havoc
Say it like HAV-uk. Havoc has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce havoc. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAV
- uk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Havoc pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ukKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of havoc
American and British speakers say havoc in essentially the same way: /ˈhævək/ in the US and /ˈhævək/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAV-uk.
What does havoc mean?
- violent and needless disturbance
Where does havoc come from?
From Middle English havok, havyk, from Old French havok in the phrase crier havok (“cry havoc”) a signal to soldiers to seize plunder, from Old French crier (“cry out, shout”) + havot (“pillaging, looting”), of obscure origin.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying havoc
How do you pronounce havoc?
Say HAV-uk. The American pronunciation is /ˈhævək/. In British English it is /ˈhævək/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in havoc?
Havoc has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAV). Broken into parts: HAV · uk.
Do Americans and Brits say havoc the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhævək/ and the British form is /ˈhævək/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.