How to pronounce kilometre
Say it like kil-AW-muht-er. Kilometre has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kilometre. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kil
- AW
- muht
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kilometre pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kilGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- AWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- muhtGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of kilometre
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kil-OM-ih-tuh.
Other ways to say kilometre
Kilometre also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- kil-uh-MEE-ter /ˌkɪləˈmitɚ/
What does kilometre mean?
- An SI unit of length equal to 10³ metres. Symbol: km
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying kilometre
How do you pronounce kilometre?
Say kil-AW-muht-er. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɪˈlɔˌmʌtɚ/. In British English it is /ˌkɪˈlɒmɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kilometre?
Kilometre has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AW). Broken into parts: kil · AW · muht · er.
Is kilometre pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌkɪˈlɒmɪtə/ (kil-OM-ih-tuh).