How to pronounce oligarch
Say it like AH-luh-gark. Oligarch has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oligarch. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AH
- luh
- gark
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oligarch pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- garkKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of oligarch
- 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: OL-ih-gahk.
What does oligarch mean?
- A member of an oligarchy; someone who is part of a small group that runs a country.
- A very wealthy business owner who wields political power.
- A protoplanet formed during oligarchic accretion.
Questions about saying oligarch
How do you pronounce oligarch?
Say AH-luh-gark. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑləɡɑrk/. In British English it is /ˈɒlɪˌɡɑːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oligarch?
Oligarch has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · luh · gark.
Is oligarch 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 /ˈɒlɪˌɡɑːk/ (OL-ih-gahk).