How to pronounce ornithorhynchus
Say it like or-nih-thuh-RING-kus. Ornithorhynchus has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RING).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ornithorhynchus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- or
- nih
- thuh
- RING
- kus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ornithorhynchus 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.
- nihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- thuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RINGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ornithorhynchus
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: aw-nih-thuh-RING-kus.
What does ornithorhynchus mean?
- A platypus (genus Ornithorhynchus).
Questions about saying ornithorhynchus
How do you pronounce ornithorhynchus?
Say or-nih-thuh-RING-kus. The American pronunciation is /ˌɔrnɪθəˈrɪŋkəs/. In British English it is /ˌɔːnɪθəˈrɪŋkəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ornithorhynchus?
Ornithorhynchus has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RING). Broken into parts: or · nih · thuh · RING · kus.
Is ornithorhynchus 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 /ˌɔːnɪθəˈrɪŋkəs/ (aw-nih-thuh-RING-kus).