How to pronounce Kentucky
Say it like kun-TUHK-ee. Kentucky has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Kentucky. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TUHK
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kentucky pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TUHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of Kentucky
American and British speakers say Kentucky in essentially the same way: /kənˈtʌki/ in the US and /kɛnˈtʌki/ in the UK.
British respelling: ken-TUHK-ee.
What does Kentucky mean?
- A state of the United States. Capital: Frankfort. Largest city: Louisville. Formally known as the Commonwealth of Kentucky, one of four such states known as Commonwealths.
- A tributary of the Ohio River in Kentucky, United States.
Where does Kentucky come from?
Uncertain; possibly from an Iroquoian word meaning "prairie"; compare Mohawk kenhtà:ke (“the meadow”), Seneca gëdá'geh (“at the field”).
Words that rhyme with Kentucky
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Kentucky.
Questions about saying Kentucky
How do you pronounce Kentucky?
Say kun-TUHK-ee. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtʌki/. In British English it is /kɛnˈtʌki/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Kentucky?
Kentucky has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUHK). Broken into parts: kun · TUHK · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say Kentucky the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtʌki/ and the British form is /kɛnˈtʌki/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.