How to pronounce pigeon
Say it like PIJ-un. Pigeon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pigeon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PIJ
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pigeon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PIJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pigeon
American and British speakers say pigeon in essentially the same way: /ˈpɪdʒən/ in the US and /ˈpɪdʒɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: PIJ-in.
What does pigeon mean?
- wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
Where does pigeon come from?
Inherited from Middle English pygeoun, borrowed from Old French pyjon, inherited from Late Latin pīpiōnem (“chirping bird”), derived from Latin pīpiāre (“to chirp”), of imitative origin.
Words that rhyme with pigeon
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pigeon.
Words that sound like pigeon
Questions about saying pigeon
How do you pronounce pigeon?
Say PIJ-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɪdʒən/. In British English it is /ˈpɪdʒɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pigeon?
Pigeon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIJ). Broken into parts: PIJ · un.
Do Americans and Brits say pigeon the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɪdʒən/ and the British form is /ˈpɪdʒɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as pigeon?
Pigeon sounds the same as pidgin in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.