How to pronounce motorcycle
Say it like MOH-ter-sy-kul. Motorcycle has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motorcycle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MOH
- ter
- sy
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motorcycle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- syGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of motorcycle
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: MOH-tuh-sy-kul.
What does motorcycle mean?
- a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame
- ride a motorcycle
Where does motorcycle come from?
From motor + cycle, from the Motorcyclette produced in 1897 by the French Werner Frères et Cie.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying motorcycle
How do you pronounce motorcycle?
Say MOH-ter-sy-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈmoʊtɚˌsaɪkəl/. In British English it is /ˈməʊtəˌsaɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motorcycle?
Motorcycle has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH). Broken into parts: MOH · ter · sy · kul.
Is motorcycle 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 /ˈməʊtəˌsaɪkəl/ (MOH-tuh-sy-kul).