How to pronounce vanilla
Say it like vuh-NIL-uh. Vanilla has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NIL).
- vuh
- NIL
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vanilla pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of vanilla
American and British speakers say vanilla in essentially the same way: /vəˈnɪlə/ in the US and /vəˈnɪlə/ in the UK.
British respelling: vuh-NIL-uh.
What does vanilla mean?
- Any tropical climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla (especially Vanilla planifolia), bearing podlike fruit yielding an extract used in flavoring food or in perfumes.
- The fruit or bean of the vanilla plant.
- The extract of the fruit of the vanilla plant.
- Of vanilla.
- Standard, plain, default, unmodified, basic.“vanilla JavaScript”
- Not kinky, not involving BDSM.
Where does vanilla come from?
Borrowed from Spanish vainilla, a diminutive form of vaina (“pod”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with vanilla
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of vanilla.
Questions about saying vanilla
How do you pronounce vanilla?
Say vuh-NIL-uh. The American pronunciation is /vəˈnɪlə/. In British English it is /vəˈnɪlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vanilla?
Vanilla has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NIL). Broken into parts: vuh · NIL · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say vanilla the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /vəˈnɪlə/ and the British form is /vəˈnɪlə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.