How to pronounce umbilicus
Say it like um-BIL-ih-kus. Umbilicus has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce umbilicus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- um
- BIL
- ih
- kus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Umbilicus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of umbilicus
American and British speakers say umbilicus in essentially the same way: /ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs/ in the US and /ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: um-BIL-ih-kus.
What does umbilicus mean?
- A navel.
- A umbilical cord.
- A hilum.
Where does umbilicus come from?
Borrowed from Latin umbilīcus (“navel”).
Questions about saying umbilicus
How do you pronounce umbilicus?
Say um-BIL-ih-kus. The American pronunciation is /ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs/. In British English it is /ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in umbilicus?
Umbilicus has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIL). Broken into parts: um · BIL · ih · kus.
Do Americans and Brits say umbilicus the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs/ and the British form is /ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.