How to pronounce tornado
Say it like tor-NAY-doh. Tornado has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAY).
- tor
- NAY
- doh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tornado pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- torKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- dohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of tornado
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: taw-NAY-doh.
What does tornado mean?
- A violent wind in the form of a mobile, rapidly rotating, funnel cloud that has contacted the ground.
- To sweep through something violently.
Where does tornado come from?
From earlier English ternado, attested since the 1550s as a nautical term for a windy thunderstorm.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tornado
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tornado.
Questions about saying tornado
How do you pronounce tornado?
Say tor-NAY-doh. The American pronunciation is /tɔrˈneɪˌdoʊ/. In British English it is /tɔːˈneɪdəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tornado?
Tornado has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAY). Broken into parts: tor · NAY · doh.
Is tornado pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /tɔːˈneɪdəʊ/ (taw-NAY-doh).