How to pronounce locomotive
Say it like loh-kuh-MOH-tiv. Locomotive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce locomotive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- loh
- kuh
- MOH
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Locomotive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- lohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of locomotive
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: loh-kuh-MOH-tiv.
What does locomotive mean?
- a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
- of or relating to locomotion
Where does locomotive come from?
In the rail transport sense, ellipsis of locomotive (steam) engine, attested from 1814.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with locomotive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of locomotive.
Questions about saying locomotive
How do you pronounce locomotive?
Say loh-kuh-MOH-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/. In British English it is /ˌləʊkəˈməʊtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in locomotive?
Locomotive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MOH). Broken into parts: loh · kuh · MOH · tiv.
Is locomotive 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 /ˌləʊkəˈməʊtɪv/ (loh-kuh-MOH-tiv).