How to pronounce holocaust
Say it like HAH-luh-kawst. Holocaust has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce holocaust. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAH
- luh
- kawst
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Holocaust pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kawstGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of holocaust
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: HOL-uh-kawst.
What does holocaust mean?
- an act of mass destruction and loss of life (especially in war or by fire)“a nuclear holocaust”
- the mass murder of Jews under the German Nazi regime from 1941 until 1945
Where does holocaust come from?
The verb is derived from the noun.
Questions about saying holocaust
How do you pronounce holocaust?
Say HAH-luh-kawst. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑləˌkɔst/. In British English it is /ˈhɒləˌkɔːst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in holocaust?
Holocaust has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH). Broken into parts: HAH · luh · kawst.
Is holocaust pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈhɒləˌkɔːst/ (HOL-uh-kawst).