How to pronounce mongoose
Say it like MONG-goos. Mongoose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MONG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mongoose. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MONG
- goos
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mongoose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MONGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- goosKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of mongoose
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: MONG-goos.
What does mongoose mean?
- Any of several species of generalist predatory carnivores in the family Herpestidae; the various species range in size from rats to large cats. Indian mongooses are predators of venomous snakes, though other mongoose species have similar habits.
- Any members of family Eupleridae of Malagasy mongooses, only distantly related to the Herpestidae, but resembling them in appearance and habits, with larger ears and ringed tails.
Where does mongoose come from?
First attested in the 1690s.
Questions about saying mongoose
How do you pronounce mongoose?
Say MONG-goos. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɑŋɡus/. In British English it is /ˈmɒŋɡuːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mongoose?
Mongoose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MONG). Broken into parts: MONG · goos.
Is mongoose pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈmɒŋɡuːs/ (MONG-goos).