How to pronounce onomatope
Say it like AH-nuh-muh-tohp. Onomatope has four 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 onomatope. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AH
- nuh
- muh
- tohp
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Onomatope 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.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tohpKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of onomatope
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ON-uh-muh-tohp.
What does onomatope mean?
- A word formed by onomatopoeia or mimesis.
Where does onomatope come from?
Irregular back-formation from onomatopoeia.
Questions about saying onomatope
How do you pronounce onomatope?
Say AH-nuh-muh-tohp. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑnəmətoʊp/. In British English it is /ˈɒnəmətəʊp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in onomatope?
Onomatope has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · nuh · muh · tohp.
Is onomatope 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 /ˈɒnəmətəʊp/ (ON-uh-muh-tohp).