How to pronounce tattoo
Say it like tat-OO. Tattoo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tattoo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tat
- OO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tattoo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tatGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- OOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of tattoo
American and British speakers say tattoo in essentially the same way: /ˌtæˈtu/ in the US and /təˈtuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: tuh-TOO.
What does tattoo mean?
- a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters
- a design on the skin made by tattooing
- the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and staining
- stain (skin) with indelible color
Where does tattoo come from?
From earlier tattaow, tattow, a borrowing from a Polynesian language, e.g.
Words that rhyme with tattoo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tattoo.
Questions about saying tattoo
How do you pronounce tattoo?
Say tat-OO. The American pronunciation is /ˌtæˈtu/. In British English it is /təˈtuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tattoo?
Tattoo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OO). Broken into parts: tat · OO.
Do Americans and Brits say tattoo the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌtæˈtu/ and the British form is /təˈtuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.