How to pronounce oo
Say it like OH-oh. Oo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈoʊoʊ/OH-oh
UK British/ˈəʊəʊ/OH-oh
- OH
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oo 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.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of oo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-oh.
What does oo mean?
noun
- Any of four Hawaiian birds of the genus Moho, formerly classed with the honeyeaters and now believed to be extinct.
- Alternative form of ooh.
Where does oo come from?
From Hawaiian ʻōʻō, resembling its call.
Questions about saying oo
How do you pronounce oo?
Say OH-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈəʊəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oo?
Oo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · oh.
Is oo 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 /ˈəʊəʊ/ (OH-oh).