How to pronounce lactose
Say it like LAK-tohs. Lactose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lactose. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAK
- tohs
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lactose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tohsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of lactose
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: LAK-tohs.
What does lactose mean?
- The disaccharide sugar of milk and dairy products, C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁, a product of glucose and galactose used as a food and in medicinal compounds.
Where does lactose come from?
Borrowed from French lactose, from Latin lac (“milk”) + -ose (derivation of glucose).
Questions about saying lactose
How do you pronounce lactose?
Say LAK-tohs. The American pronunciation is /ˈlæktoʊs/. In British English it is /ˈlæktəʊs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lactose?
Lactose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAK). Broken into parts: LAK · tohs.
Is lactose 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 /ˈlæktəʊs/ (LAK-tohs).