How to pronounce octopus
Say it like OK-tuh-puus. Octopus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OK).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce octopus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈɑktəˌpʊs/OK-tuh-puus
UK British/ˈɒktəpəs/OK-tuh-pus
- OK
- tuh
- puus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Octopus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- puusGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of octopus
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OK-tuh-pus.
What does octopus mean?
noun
- Any of several marine molluscs of the order Octopoda, having no internal or external protective shell or bone (unlike the nautilus, squid and cuttlefish) and eight arms each covered with suckers.
- A mollusc from genus Octopus.
- The flesh of these marine molluscs eaten as food.
- To put (or attempt to put) one's fingers, hands or arms in many things or places at roughly the same time.
- To spread out in long arms or legs in many directions.
- To plug a large number of devices into a single electric outlet.
Questions about saying octopus
How do you pronounce octopus?
Say OK-tuh-puus. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑktəˌpʊs/. In British English it is /ˈɒktəpəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in octopus?
Octopus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OK). Broken into parts: OK · tuh · puus.
Is octopus 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 /ˈɒktəpəs/ (OK-tuh-pus).