How to pronounce peroxide
Say it like puh-ROK-syde. Peroxide has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ROK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce peroxide. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- ROK
- syde
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Peroxide pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ROKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sydeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of peroxide
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: puh-ROK-syde.
What does peroxide mean?
- A divalent radical or anion containing two oxygen atoms linked by a covalent bond; any substance containing this group yields hydrogen peroxide when treated with an acid.
- Hydrogen peroxide, especially when in an aqueous solution used as a bleach.
- Any compound containing the functional group R-O-O-R'.
- To treat (something) with hydrogen peroxide, especially hair in order to bleach it.
Where does peroxide come from?
From per- + oxide.
Words that rhyme with peroxide
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of peroxide.
Questions about saying peroxide
How do you pronounce peroxide?
Say puh-ROK-syde. The American pronunciation is /pəˈrɑkˌsaɪd/. In British English it is /pəˈrɒksaɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in peroxide?
Peroxide has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ROK). Broken into parts: puh · ROK · syde.
Is peroxide 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 /pəˈrɒksaɪd/ (puh-ROK-syde).