How to pronounce kaleidoscope
Say it like kuh-LY-duh-skohp. Kaleidoscope has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kaleidoscope. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- LY
- duh
- skohp
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kaleidoscope pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- skohpGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of kaleidoscope
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: kuh-LY-duh-skohp.
What does kaleidoscope mean?
- An instrument consisting of a tube containing mirrors and loose, colorful beads or other objects; when the tube is looked into and rotated, a succession of symmetrical designs can be seen.
- A constantly changing series of colors or other things.
- A swarm of butterflies.
- To move in shifting (and often attractive or colorful) patterns.
Where does kaleidoscope come from?
The verb is derived from the noun.
Questions about saying kaleidoscope
How do you pronounce kaleidoscope?
Say kuh-LY-duh-skohp. The American pronunciation is /kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp/. In British English it is /kəˈlaɪdəˌskəʊp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kaleidoscope?
Kaleidoscope has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LY). Broken into parts: kuh · LY · duh · skohp.
Is kaleidoscope 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 /kəˈlaɪdəˌskəʊp/ (kuh-LY-duh-skohp).