How to pronounce ow
Say it like OH. Ow is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ow 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.
American vs British pronunciation of ow
American and British speakers say ow in essentially the same way: /oʊ/ in the US and /aʊ/ in the UK.
British respelling: OW.
Other ways to say ow
Ow also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- OW /aʊ/
What does ow mean?
- Synonym of ouch (“cry of pain”).
- Used for emotional emphasis.
- An uttering of an 'ow'.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ow
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ow.
Words that sound like ow
Questions about saying ow
How do you pronounce ow?
Say OH. The American pronunciation is /oʊ/. In British English it is /aʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ow?
Ow is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: OH.
Do Americans and Brits say ow the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /oʊ/ and the British form is /aʊ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as ow?
Ow sounds the same as owe in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.