How to pronounce pelican
Say it like PEL-uh-kun. Pelican has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pelican. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEL
- uh
- kun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pelican pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PELSay 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.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pelican
American and British speakers say pelican in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛləkən/ in the US and /ˈpɛlɪkən/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEL-ih-kun.
What does pelican mean?
- Any of various seabirds of the family Pelecanidae, having a long bill with a distendable pouch.
- A native or resident of the American state of Louisiana.
- A set of forceps used to force overcrowded teeth apart.
Questions about saying pelican
How do you pronounce pelican?
Say PEL-uh-kun. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛləkən/. In British English it is /ˈpɛlɪkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pelican?
Pelican has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEL). Broken into parts: PEL · uh · kun.
Do Americans and Brits say pelican the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛləkən/ and the British form is /ˈpɛlɪkən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.