How to pronounce piccolo
Say it like PIK-uh-loh. Piccolo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce piccolo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PIK
- uh
- loh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Piccolo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of piccolo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: PIK-uh-loh.
What does piccolo mean?
- A transverse flute that is smaller than a Western concert flute and pitched nearly an octave higher.
- An organ stop with the tone of a piccolo flute.
- A waiter’s assistant in a hotel or restaurant.
- Designating the highest-pitched or smallest of a family of musical instruments.
Where does piccolo come from?
From Italian piccolo (“small”).
Questions about saying piccolo
How do you pronounce piccolo?
Say PIK-uh-loh. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɪkəˌloʊ/. In British English it is /ˈpɪkələʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in piccolo?
Piccolo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIK). Broken into parts: PIK · uh · loh.
Is piccolo pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈpɪkələʊ/ (PIK-uh-loh).