How to pronounce hurricane
Say it like HUR-ruh-kayn. Hurricane has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hurricane. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HUR
- ruh
- kayn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hurricane pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HURSay this part loudest and longest.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kaynGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of hurricane
American and British speakers say hurricane in essentially the same way: /ˈhɜrəˌkeɪn/ in the US and /ˈhʌrɪˌkeɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: HUHR-ih-kayn.
Other ways to say hurricane
Hurricane also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- HUHR-uh-kaynz /ˈhʌrəˌkeɪnz/
What does hurricane mean?
- a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)
Where does hurricane come from?
Borrowed from Spanish huracán, ultimately from Taíno *hurakā.
Questions about saying hurricane
How do you pronounce hurricane?
Say HUR-ruh-kayn. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɜrəˌkeɪn/. In British English it is /ˈhʌrɪˌkeɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hurricane?
Hurricane has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HUR). Broken into parts: HUR · ruh · kayn.
Do Americans and Brits say hurricane the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɜrəˌkeɪn/ and the British form is /ˈhʌrɪˌkeɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.