How to pronounce hibiscus
Say it like hih-BIS-kus. Hibiscus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hibiscus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hih
- BIS
- kus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hibiscus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- hihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- BISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hibiscus
American and British speakers say hibiscus in essentially the same way: /hɪˈbɪskəs/ in the US and /hɪˈbɪskəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: hih-BIS-kus.
What does hibiscus mean?
- A flowering plant of the genus Hibiscus, especially Hibiscus syriacus, found in tropical to temperate regions, of some species used for making infusions/tea.
- A cocktail made with champagne and cranberry juice.
Words that rhyme with hibiscus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hibiscus.
Questions about saying hibiscus
How do you pronounce hibiscus?
Say hih-BIS-kus. The American pronunciation is /hɪˈbɪskəs/. In British English it is /hɪˈbɪskəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hibiscus?
Hibiscus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIS). Broken into parts: hih · BIS · kus.
Do Americans and Brits say hibiscus the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /hɪˈbɪskəs/ and the British form is /hɪˈbɪskəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.