How to pronounce igloo
Say it like IG-loo. Igloo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IG).
- IG
- loo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Igloo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- IGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- looKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of igloo
American and British speakers say igloo in essentially the same way: /ˈɪɡlu/ in the US and /ˈɪˌɡluː/ in the UK.
British respelling: IG-loo.
What does igloo mean?
- A dome-shaped Inuit shelter, constructed of blocks cut from snow.
- A cavity, or excavation, made in the snow by a seal, over its breathing hole in the sea ice.
- A reinforced bunker for the storage of nuclear weapons.
Where does igloo come from?
From Inuktitut ᐃᒡᓗ (iclo, “house, building (of any kind)”), from Proto-Inuit *ǝɣlu, from Proto-Eskimo *ǝŋlu.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- iglu
Questions about saying igloo
How do you pronounce igloo?
Say IG-loo. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪɡlu/. In British English it is /ˈɪˌɡluː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in igloo?
Igloo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IG). Broken into parts: IG · loo.
Do Americans and Brits say igloo the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪɡlu/ and the British form is /ˈɪˌɡluː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.