How to pronounce possum
Say it like POS-um. Possum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce possum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POS
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Possum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of possum
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: POS-um.
What does possum mean?
- A marsupial of several families of the order Diprotodontia, found in Australia and neighboring islands.
- An opossum, a marsupial of the family Didelphidae of the Americas.
- To play possum; to feign sleep, illness, or death.
Where does possum come from?
Derived from opossum by apheresis.
Words that rhyme with possum
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of possum.
Questions about saying possum
How do you pronounce possum?
Say POS-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑsəm/. In British English it is /ˈpɒsəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in possum?
Possum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POS). Broken into parts: POS · um.
Is possum 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 /ˈpɒsəm/ (POS-um).