How to pronounce violoncello
Say it like vy-lun-CHEL-oh. Violoncello has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (CHEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce violoncello. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- vy
- lun
- CHEL
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Violoncello pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- lunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- CHELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of violoncello
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: vy-lun-CHEL-oh.
What does violoncello mean?
- Synonym of cello.
Where does violoncello come from?
A borrowing of Italian violoncello (“little violone”), from violone (“an early form of the double bass”) + -cello (“-elle”, forming diminutives), violone itself being derived from viola + -one (“-oon”, forming augmentatives).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with violoncello
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of violoncello.
Questions about saying violoncello
How do you pronounce violoncello?
Say vy-lun-CHEL-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˌvaɪlənˈtʃɛloʊ/. In British English it is /ˌvaɪlənˈtʃɛləʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in violoncello?
Violoncello has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (CHEL). Broken into parts: vy · lun · CHEL · oh.
Is violoncello pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌvaɪlənˈtʃɛləʊ/ (vy-lun-CHEL-oh).