How to pronounce tocsin
Say it like TOK-sin. Tocsin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tocsin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TOK
- sin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tocsin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sinKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of tocsin
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: TOK-sin.
What does tocsin mean?
- An alarm or other signal sounded by a bell or bells, originally especially with reference to France.
- A bell used to sound an alarm.
Where does tocsin come from?
Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French toquesain (modern tocsin), from Old Occitan tocasenh, from tocar (“strike, touch”) + senh (“bell”).
Words that rhyme with tocsin
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tocsin.
Questions about saying tocsin
How do you pronounce tocsin?
Say TOK-sin. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑksɪn/. In British English it is /ˈtɒksɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tocsin?
Tocsin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOK). Broken into parts: TOK · sin.
Is tocsin 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 /ˈtɒksɪn/ (TOK-sin).