How to pronounce kapok
Say it like KAY-pahk. Kapok has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kapok. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAY
- pahk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kapok pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- pahkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of kapok
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KAY-pok.
What does kapok mean?
- A silky fiber obtained from seed pods of the silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) used for insulation and stuffing for mattresses, pillows, etc.
- A silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra).
- A cotton tree, Malabar silk-cotton tree, or red silk-cotton tree (Bombax ceiba).
Where does kapok come from?
Borrowed from Malay kapuk (“silky fiber from the silk-cotton tree; Ceiba pentandra”).
Questions about saying kapok
How do you pronounce kapok?
Say KAY-pahk. The American pronunciation is /ˈkeɪˌpɑk/. In British English it is /ˈkeɪpɒk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kapok?
Kapok has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAY). Broken into parts: KAY · pahk.
Is kapok pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkeɪpɒk/ (KAY-pok).