How to pronounce hornbill
Say it like HORN-bil. Hornbill has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HORN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hornbill. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HORN
- bil
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hornbill pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HORNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- bilKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of hornbill
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAWN-bil.
What does hornbill mean?
- Any of various birds of the family Bucerotidae, with bills resembling a cow's horns. Many species have a casque above the bill, and many imprison their young in a tree.
Where does hornbill come from?
From horn + bill.
Questions about saying hornbill
How do you pronounce hornbill?
Say HORN-bil. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɔrnbɪl/. In British English it is /ˈhɔːnbɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hornbill?
Hornbill has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HORN). Broken into parts: HORN · bil.
Is hornbill pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈhɔːnbɪl/ (HAWN-bil).