How to pronounce rodeo
Say it like ROH-dee-oh. Rodeo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rodeo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROH
- dee
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rodeo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of rodeo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ROH-dih-oh.
What does rodeo mean?
- A gathering of cattle to be branded.
- A North American sport involving skills with horses, cows and other livestock.
- An entertainment event associated with the sport.
- To perform in a rodeo show.
Where does rodeo come from?
From Spanish rodeo, from rodear (“to surround”), which refers to a cattle roundup.
Questions about saying rodeo
How do you pronounce rodeo?
Say ROH-dee-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˈroʊdiˌoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈrəʊdɪˌəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rodeo?
Rodeo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH). Broken into parts: ROH · dee · oh.
Is rodeo pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈrəʊdɪˌəʊ/ (ROH-dih-oh).