How to pronounce sinkhole
Say it like SINGK-hohl. Sinkhole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SINGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sinkhole. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SINGK
- hohl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sinkhole pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SINGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- hohlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of sinkhole
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: SINGK-hohl.
What does sinkhole mean?
- A hole formed in soluble rock by the action of water, serving to conduct surface water to an underground passage.
- A depressed area in which waste or drainage collects.
- A hole in the playfield that rewards the player when the ball is guided into it.
Where does sinkhole come from?
From Middle English sinkehole, sinkeholl, equivalent to sink + hole.
Questions about saying sinkhole
How do you pronounce sinkhole?
Say SINGK-hohl. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪŋkˌhoʊl/. In British English it is /ˈsɪŋkˌhəʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sinkhole?
Sinkhole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SINGK). Broken into parts: SINGK · hohl.
Is sinkhole 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 /ˈsɪŋkˌhəʊl/ (SINGK-hohl).