How to pronounce heliconian
Say it like hel-ih-KOH-nee-un. Heliconian has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce heliconian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hel
- ih
- KOH
- nee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heliconian pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- helGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of heliconian
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: hel-ih-KOH-nee-un.
What does heliconian mean?
- Any plant of the genus Heliconia, called lobster claws, toucan beaks, wild plantain, or false birds of paradise.
- Any butterfly of the genus Heliconius, family Nymphalidae, native to the American tropics and subtropics.
Questions about saying heliconian
How do you pronounce heliconian?
Say hel-ih-KOH-nee-un. The American pronunciation is /ˌhɛlɪˈkoʊniən/. In British English it is /ˌhɛlɪˈkəʊniən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heliconian?
Heliconian has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KOH). Broken into parts: hel · ih · KOH · nee · un.
Is heliconian 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 /ˌhɛlɪˈkəʊniən/ (hel-ih-KOH-nee-un).