How to pronounce vocabulary
Say it like voh-KAB-yuh-ler-ee. Vocabulary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vocabulary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- voh
- KAB
- yuh
- ler
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vocabulary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- KABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of vocabulary
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: voh-KAB-yuh-luh-ree.
What does vocabulary mean?
- a listing of the words used in some enterprise
- a language user's knowledge of words
- the system of techniques or symbols serving as a means of expression (as in arts or crafts)“he introduced a wide vocabulary of techniques”
Where does vocabulary come from?
Learned borrowing from Medieval Latin vocābulārium.
Words that rhyme with vocabulary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of vocabulary.
Questions about saying vocabulary
How do you pronounce vocabulary?
Say voh-KAB-yuh-ler-ee. The American pronunciation is /voʊˈkæbjəˌlɛri/. In British English it is /vəʊˈkæbjʊləri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vocabulary?
Vocabulary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAB). Broken into parts: voh · KAB · yuh · ler · ee.
Is vocabulary 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 /vəʊˈkæbjʊləri/ (voh-KAB-yuh-luh-ree).