How to pronounce maypole
Say it like MAY-pohl. Maypole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce maypole. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAY
- pohl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Maypole pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- pohlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of maypole
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: MAY-pohl.
What does maypole mean?
- A pole, garlanded with streamers held by people who dance around it to celebrate May Day.“How would you like the maypole decorated?”
- A very tall girl or young lady.
- A maypole-like structure of sticks placed about a sapling in the bowers of certain species of bowerbird.
- To dance or spin in a circle around something.
Where does maypole come from?
Compound of May + pole, so called in reference to its use on May Day.
Questions about saying maypole
How do you pronounce maypole?
Say MAY-pohl. The American pronunciation is /ˈmeɪˌpoʊl/. In British English it is /ˈmeɪˌpəʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in maypole?
Maypole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAY). Broken into parts: MAY · pohl.
Is maypole 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 /ˈmeɪˌpəʊl/ (MAY-pohl).