How to pronounce mackinaw
Say it like MAK-uh-naw. Mackinaw has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mackinaw. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAK
- uh
- naw
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mackinaw pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nawKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of mackinaw
American and British speakers say mackinaw in essentially the same way: /ˈmækənɔ/ in the US and /ˈmækɪnɔː/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAK-ih-naw.
What does mackinaw mean?
- A heavy woolen cloth.
- A blanket made of wool, formerly distributed to the Amerindians by the U.S. government.
- Synonym of mackinaw boat.
Where does mackinaw come from?
Respelling of Mackinac, a strait between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, an island in the strait, and an important trading-post on the island; ultimately from Ojibwe mishinii-makinaang (“at the place of many snapping turtles”).
Questions about saying mackinaw
How do you pronounce mackinaw?
Say MAK-uh-naw. The American pronunciation is /ˈmækənɔ/. In British English it is /ˈmækɪnɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mackinaw?
Mackinaw has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAK). Broken into parts: MAK · uh · naw.
Do Americans and Brits say mackinaw the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmækənɔ/ and the British form is /ˈmækɪnɔː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.