How to pronounce orca
Say it like OR-kuh. Orca has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce orca. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OR
- kuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Orca pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of orca
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AW-kuh.
What does orca mean?
- A sea mammal (Orcinus orca) related to dolphins and porpoises, commonly called the killer whale.
Where does orca come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin orca (“tun, cask; whale”), see there for more.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- blackfish
- killer
Questions about saying orca
How do you pronounce orca?
Say OR-kuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊrkə/. In British English it is /ˈɔːkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in orca?
Orca has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR). Broken into parts: OR · kuh.
Is orca 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 /ˈɔːkə/ (AW-kuh).