How to pronounce mockingbird
Say it like MOK-ing-burd. Mockingbird has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mockingbird. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MOK
- ing
- burd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mockingbird pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- burdGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of mockingbird
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: MOK-ing-burd.
What does mockingbird mean?
- Any of various long-tailed American songbirds of the genera Mimus and Melanotis, noted for their ability to mimic calls of other birds.
Where does mockingbird come from?
From mocking + bird, from the ability of the birds to mimic sounds and, in some cases, hum as a wake-up call.
Questions about saying mockingbird
How do you pronounce mockingbird?
Say MOK-ing-burd. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɑkɪŋˌbɝd/. In British English it is /ˈmɒkɪŋbɜːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mockingbird?
Mockingbird has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOK). Broken into parts: MOK · ing · burd.
Is mockingbird pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɒkɪŋbɜːd/ (MOK-ing-burd).