How to pronounce opossum
Say it like uh-POS-um. Opossum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce opossum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- POS
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Opossum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of opossum
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: uh-POS-um.
What does opossum mean?
- Any American marsupial of the family Didelphidae in the order Didelphimorphia.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with opossum
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of opossum.
Questions about saying opossum
How do you pronounce opossum?
Say uh-POS-um. The American pronunciation is /əˈpɑsəm/. In British English it is /əˈpɒsəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in opossum?
Opossum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POS). Broken into parts: uh · POS · um.
Is opossum 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 /əˈpɒsəm/ (uh-POS-um).