How to pronounce onlooker
Say it like AWN-luuk-er. Onlooker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce onlooker. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AWN
- luuk
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Onlooker pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- luukGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of onlooker
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ON-luuk-uh.
What does onlooker mean?
- One who looks on or watches, without becoming involved or participating; an observer, a spectator.“I wasn’t involved in the fight; I was only an onlooker.”
Where does onlooker come from?
From on- (prefix meaning ‘at; on, upon’) + looker (“one that looks”), from the verb look on.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying onlooker
How do you pronounce onlooker?
Say AWN-luuk-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔnˌlʊkɚ/. In British English it is /ˈɒnˌlʊkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in onlooker?
Onlooker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AWN). Broken into parts: AWN · luuk · er.
Is onlooker 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 /ˈɒnˌlʊkə/ (ON-luuk-uh).