How to pronounce porcupine
Say it like POR-kyuh-pyne. Porcupine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce porcupine. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POR
- kyuh
- pyne
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Porcupine pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- kyuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- pyneGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of porcupine
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAW-kyuh-pyne.
What does porcupine mean?
- Any of several rodents of either of the taxonomic families Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) or Erethizontidae (New World porcupines), both from the infraorder Hystricognathi, noted for their sharp spines or quills, which are raised when the animal is attacked or surprised.
- An echidna.
Where does porcupine come from?
From Middle English porke despyne, from Old French porc-espin, from Latin porcus (“pig”) + spinus (“spine”), hence also spine pig.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying porcupine
How do you pronounce porcupine?
Say POR-kyuh-pyne. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔrkjəˌpaɪn/. In British English it is /ˈpɔːkjəˌpaɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in porcupine?
Porcupine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POR). Broken into parts: POR · kyuh · pyne.
Is porcupine 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 /ˈpɔːkjəˌpaɪn/ (PAW-kyuh-pyne).