How to pronounce tadpole
Say it like TAD-pohl. Tadpole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAD).
- TAD
- pohl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tadpole pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- pohlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of tadpole
American and British speakers say tadpole in essentially the same way: /ˈtædˌpoʊl/ in the US and /ˈtædpoʊl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TAD-pohl.
What does tadpole mean?
- A young toad or frog in its larval stage of development that lives in water, has a tail and no legs, and, like a fish, breathes through gills.
- The aquatic larva of any amphibian.“salamander tadpole”
- A type of cargo bike that has two wheels in front and one in back.
Where does tadpole come from?
From Middle English tadpolle, taddepol, equivalent to toad + poll (“head”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- polliwog
- porriwiggle
- pollywog
Questions about saying tadpole
How do you pronounce tadpole?
Say TAD-pohl. The American pronunciation is /ˈtædˌpoʊl/. In British English it is /ˈtædpoʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tadpole?
Tadpole has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAD). Broken into parts: TAD · pohl.
Do Americans and Brits say tadpole the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtædˌpoʊl/ and the British form is /ˈtædpoʊl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.