How to pronounce toboggan
Say it like tuh-BOG-un. Toboggan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce toboggan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tuh
- BOG
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Toboggan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BOGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of toboggan
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: tuh-BOG-un.
What does toboggan mean?
- A long sled without runners, with the front end curled upwards, which may be pulled across snow by a cord or used to coast down hills.
- A similar sled of wood, pulled by dogs, possibly with steel runners, made to transport cargo.
- Something which, once it starts going (figuratively) downhill, is unstoppable until it reaches the bottom.
- To slide down a hill on a toboggan or other object.
- To go downhill unstoppably until one reaches the bottom.
- To fly sharply downward so as to build up speed to facilitate in-flight refueling of a faster aircraft.
Where does toboggan come from?
The noun is attested since 1829, the verb since 1846.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying toboggan
How do you pronounce toboggan?
Say tuh-BOG-un. The American pronunciation is /təˈbɑɡən/. In British English it is /təˈbɒɡən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in toboggan?
Toboggan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOG). Broken into parts: tuh · BOG · un.
Is toboggan 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 /təˈbɒɡən/ (tuh-BOG-un).