How to pronounce Hilo
Say it like HEE-loh. Hilo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Hilo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEE
- loh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hilo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- lohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of Hilo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HEE-loh.
What does Hilo mean?
- The largest town on the island of Hawaii, in Hawaii County, Hawaii, located at the eastern corner of the island.
Where does Hilo come from?
From Hawaiian Hilo, of uncertain etymology but possibly related to hilo (“to twist”).
Questions about saying Hilo
How do you pronounce Hilo?
Say HEE-loh. The American pronunciation is /ˈhiloʊ/. In British English it is /ˈhiːləʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Hilo?
Hilo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEE). Broken into parts: HEE · loh.
Is Hilo 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 /ˈhiːləʊ/ (HEE-loh).