How to pronounce meow
Say it like mee-OW. Meow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce meow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mee
- OW
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Meow pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- meeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- OWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of meow
American and British speakers say meow in essentially the same way: /miˈaʊ/ in the US and /mɪˈaʊ/ in the UK.
British respelling: mih-OW.
What does meow mean?
- Used to indicate the cry of a cat.
- Used in reply to a spiteful or catty comment.
- Used to express seductiveness, mimicking a growl.
- The cry of a cat.
- The drug mephedrone.
- Of a cat, to make its cry.
Where does meow come from?
(mephedrone): Perhaps because of the drug's distinctive smell resembling cat urine.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with meow
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of meow.
Questions about saying meow
How do you pronounce meow?
Say mee-OW. The American pronunciation is /miˈaʊ/. In British English it is /mɪˈaʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in meow?
Meow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OW). Broken into parts: mee · OW.
Do Americans and Brits say meow the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /miˈaʊ/ and the British form is /mɪˈaʊ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.