How to pronounce shotgun
Say it like SHOT-guhn. Shotgun has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shotgun. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHOT
- guhn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shotgun pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- guhnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of shotgun
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SHOT-gun.
What does shotgun mean?
- firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges
Where does shotgun come from?
From shot + gun. Front passenger seat sense comes from ride shotgun.
Questions about saying shotgun
How do you pronounce shotgun?
Say SHOT-guhn. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɑtˌɡʌn/. In British English it is /ˈʃɒtɡʌn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shotgun?
Shotgun has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOT). Broken into parts: SHOT · guhn.
Is shotgun 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 /ˈʃɒtɡʌn/ (SHOT-gun).