How to pronounce unicorn
Say it like YOO-nih-korn. Unicorn has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unicorn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- YOO
- nih
- korn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unicorn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- YOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- nihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kornGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of unicorn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: YOO-nih-kawn.
What does unicorn mean?
- an imaginary creature represented as a white horse with a long horn growing from its forehead
Questions about saying unicorn
How do you pronounce unicorn?
Say YOO-nih-korn. The American pronunciation is /ˈjunɪˌkɔrn/. In British English it is /ˈjuːnɪkɔːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unicorn?
Unicorn has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO). Broken into parts: YOO · nih · korn.
Is unicorn 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 /ˈjuːnɪkɔːn/ (YOO-nih-kawn).