How to pronounce oregano
Say it like or-EG-uh-noh. Oregano has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oregano. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- or
- EG
- uh
- noh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Americans stress the second syllable ('uh-REG-uh-noh'); Britons stress the third ('orr-ih-GAH-noh').
Oregano pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- orGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- EGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of oregano
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: or-ih-GAH-noh.
What does oregano mean?
- A herb of the mint family, Origanum vulgare, having aromatic leaves.
- Other herbs with a similar flavor, including other species in the genus Origanum, and Mexican oregano, Lippia graveolens.
- The leaves of these plants used in flavoring food.
Questions about saying oregano
How do you pronounce oregano?
Say or-EG-uh-noh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɔˈrɛɡəˌnoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌɒrɪˈɡɑːnəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oregano?
Oregano has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EG). Broken into parts: or · EG · uh · noh.
Is oregano pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌɒrɪˈɡɑːnəʊ/ (or-ih-GAH-noh).