How to pronounce puma
Say it like POO-muh. Puma has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce puma. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POO
- muh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Puma pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of puma
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: PYOO-muh.
What does puma mean?
- A mountain lion or cougar (Puma concolor).
- Any feline belonging to the genus Puma.
- A woman in her 20s or 30s who seeks relationships with younger men; a younger cougar.
Where does puma come from?
Borrowed from Spanish puma, borrowed from Quechua puma, from Proto-Quechuan *puma.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with puma
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of puma.
Questions about saying puma
How do you pronounce puma?
Say POO-muh. The American pronunciation is /ˈpumə/. In British English it is /ˈpjuːmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in puma?
Puma has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POO). Broken into parts: POO · muh.
Is puma pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ˈpjuːmə/ (PYOO-muh).