How to pronounce supernova
Say it like soo-per-NOH-vuh. Supernova has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce supernova. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- soo
- per
- NOH
- vuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Supernova pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- NOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of supernova
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: soo-puh-NOH-vuh.
What does supernova mean?
- A powerful and bright explosion of a massive star, which afterwards becomes a neutron star or a black hole, or is destroyed.
- Something brilliant.
Where does supernova come from?
From super- + nova.
Words that rhyme with supernova
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of supernova.
Questions about saying supernova
How do you pronounce supernova?
Say soo-per-NOH-vuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌsupɚˈnoʊvə/. In British English it is /ˌsuːpəˈnəʊvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in supernova?
Supernova has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NOH). Broken into parts: soo · per · NOH · vuh.
Is supernova pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌsuːpəˈnəʊvə/ (soo-puh-NOH-vuh).