How to pronounce jumbo
Say it like JUHM-boh. Jumbo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce jumbo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JUHM
- boh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Jumbo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- bohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of jumbo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: JUHM-boh.
What does jumbo mean?
- Especially large or powerful.“a jumbo helping”
- An especially large or powerful person, animal, or thing.
- An elephant.
- A platform-mounted machine for drilling rock.
Where does jumbo come from?
From Jumbo (1860–1885), the name given to a large African elephant from East Africa that was purchased in 1882 by American showman P.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with jumbo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of jumbo.
Questions about saying jumbo
How do you pronounce jumbo?
Say JUHM-boh. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒʌmboʊ/. In British English it is /ˈdʒʌmbəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in jumbo?
Jumbo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JUHM). Broken into parts: JUHM · boh.
Is jumbo 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 /ˈdʒʌmbəʊ/ (JUHM-boh).