How to pronounce Iowa
Say it like EYE-uh-wuh. Iowa has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Iowa. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EYE
- uh
- wuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Iowa pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EYESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- wuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Iowa
American and British speakers say Iowa in essentially the same way: /ˈaɪəwə/ in the US and /ˈaɪəʊə/ in the UK.
British respelling: EYE-oh-uh.
What does Iowa mean?
- A state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Capital and largest city: Des Moines.
- A tributary of the Mississippi River which flows through Iowa in a southeast direction.
Where does Iowa come from?
From French Aiouez/Ayoés, an early transliteration of the name for the Iowa tribe, from Dakota ayúxba (“the sleepy ones”).
Questions about saying Iowa
How do you pronounce Iowa?
Say EYE-uh-wuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈaɪəwə/. In British English it is /ˈaɪəʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Iowa?
Iowa has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE). Broken into parts: EYE · uh · wuh.
Do Americans and Brits say Iowa the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈaɪəwə/ and the British form is /ˈaɪəʊə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.