How to pronounce opioid
Say it like OH-pee-oyd. Opioid has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce opioid. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- pee
- oyd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Opioid 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.
- peeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- oydKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of opioid
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-pee-oyd.
What does opioid mean?
- Any of the natural substances, such as an endorphin, released in the body in response to pain; an endogenous opioid.
- Any of a group of synthetic compounds that exhibit similarities to the opium alkaloids that occur in nature.
Where does opioid come from?
Attested 1963; from opium + -oid, to distinguish from opiate.
Questions about saying opioid
How do you pronounce opioid?
Say OH-pee-oyd. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊpiɔɪd/. In British English it is /ˈəʊpiɔɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in opioid?
Opioid has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · pee · oyd.
Is opioid 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 /ˈəʊpiɔɪd/ (OH-pee-oyd).