How to pronounce innuendo
Say it like in-yoo-EN-doh. Innuendo has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (EN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce innuendo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- yoo
- EN
- doh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Innuendo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- ENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- dohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of innuendo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: in-yoo-EN-doh.
What does innuendo mean?
- A derogatory hint or reference to, or (often sexual) insinuation about, a person or thing.“She made a devious innuendo about her opponent, who was embarrassed.”
- A remark that is suggestive of something sexual without stating it explicitly.
- A rhetorical device with an omitted but obvious conclusion, made to increase the force of an argument.
- To interpret (something libellous or slanderous) in terms of what was implied.
Where does innuendo come from?
From the Latin innuendō (“by nodding”), ablative singular form of innuendum (“a nodding”), gerund of innuō (“to give a nod”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with innuendo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of innuendo.
Questions about saying innuendo
How do you pronounce innuendo?
Say in-yoo-EN-doh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnjuˈɛndoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌɪnjuːˈɛndəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in innuendo?
Innuendo has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (EN). Broken into parts: in · yoo · EN · doh.
Is innuendo 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 /ˌɪnjuːˈɛndəʊ/ (in-yoo-EN-doh).