How to pronounce peacock
Say it like PEE-kahk. Peacock has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce peacock. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEE
- kahk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Peacock pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kahkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of peacock
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PEE-kok.
What does peacock mean?
- A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.
- A peafowl (of the genus Pavo or Afropavo), either male or female.
- The meat of this bird.
- To strut about proudly or haughtily.
- To engage in peacocking, ostentatious dress or behavior to impress women.
Where does peacock come from?
From Middle English pecok, pekok, pocok, pacok, first component from Old English pēa, pāwa (“peacock, peafowl”), ultimately from Latin pāvō; equivalent to pea + cock.
Questions about saying peacock
How do you pronounce peacock?
Say PEE-kahk. The American pronunciation is /ˈpiˌkɑk/. In British English it is /ˈpiːˌkɒk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in peacock?
Peacock has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEE). Broken into parts: PEE · kahk.
Is peacock pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈpiːˌkɒk/ (PEE-kok).