How to pronounce oarlock
Say it like OR-lahk. Oarlock has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oarlock. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OR
- lahk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oarlock pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- lahkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of oarlock
- 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: AW-lok.
What does oarlock mean?
- A usually U-shaped device attached to the gunwale of a rowboat to hold the oars in place while rowing.
Where does oarlock come from?
From oar + lock.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with oarlock
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of oarlock.
Questions about saying oarlock
How do you pronounce oarlock?
Say OR-lahk. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔrˌlɑk/. In British English it is /ˈɔːˌlɒk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oarlock?
Oarlock has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR). Broken into parts: OR · lahk.
Is oarlock 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 /ˈɔːˌlɒk/ (AW-lok).