How to pronounce popcorn
Say it like POP-korn. Popcorn has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce popcorn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POP
- korn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Popcorn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kornGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of popcorn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: POP-kawn.
What does popcorn mean?
- corn having small ears and kernels that burst when exposed to dry heat
- small kernels of corn exploded by heat
Where does popcorn come from?
Short for popped corn.
Questions about saying popcorn
How do you pronounce popcorn?
Say POP-korn. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑpˌkɔrn/. In British English it is /ˈpɒpˌkɔːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in popcorn?
Popcorn has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POP). Broken into parts: POP · korn.
Is popcorn pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈpɒpˌkɔːn/ (POP-kawn).