How to pronounce ocean
Say it like OH-shun. Ocean has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ocean. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ocean pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ocean
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-shun.
What does ocean mean?
- a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
- anything apparently limitless in quantity or volume
Words that rhyme with ocean
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ocean.
Questions about saying ocean
How do you pronounce ocean?
Say OH-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊʃən/. In British English it is /ˈəʊʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ocean?
Ocean has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · shun.
Is ocean pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈəʊʃən/ (OH-shun).