How to pronounce tonto
Say it like TON-toh. Tonto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tonto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TON
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tonto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of tonto
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: TON-toh.
What does tonto mean?
- Synonym of idiot: someone who is foolish or stupid.
- a traditional Ugandan fermented beverage made from bananas
Where does tonto come from?
Borrowed from Spanish tonto (“stupid, foolish; idiot, fool”), of uncertain etymology.
Words that rhyme with tonto
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tonto.
Questions about saying tonto
How do you pronounce tonto?
Say TON-toh. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑnˌtoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈtɒnˌtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tonto?
Tonto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TON). Broken into parts: TON · toh.
Is tonto 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 /ˈtɒnˌtəʊ/ (TON-toh).