How to pronounce oy
Say it like OY. Oy 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 oy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of oy
American and British speakers say oy in essentially the same way: /ɔɪ/ in the US and /ɔɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: OY.
What does oy mean?
- An exclamation typically expressing mild frustration or expressing feelings of uncertainty or concern.
- Alternative spelling of oi (“hey, hi, yo”).
Words that rhyme with oy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of oy.
Questions about saying oy
How do you pronounce oy?
Say OY. The American pronunciation is /ɔɪ/. In British English it is /ɔɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oy?
Oy is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: OY.
Do Americans and Brits say oy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɔɪ/ and the British form is /ɔɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.