How to pronounce volcanic
Say it like vahl-KAN-ik. Volcanic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce volcanic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- vahl
- KAN
- ik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Volcanic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vahlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- KANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of volcanic
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: vol-KAN-ik.
What does volcanic mean?
- relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes“volcanic steam”“volcanic islands such as Iceland”
- explosively unstable“a volcanic temper”
- igneous rock produced by eruption and solidified on or near the earth's surface; rhyolite or andesite or basalt“volcanic rock includes the volcanic glass obsidian”
Where does volcanic come from?
From French volcanique, from volcan (“volcano”); and/or directly from volcan(o) + -ic.
Words that rhyme with volcanic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of volcanic.
Questions about saying volcanic
How do you pronounce volcanic?
Say vahl-KAN-ik. The American pronunciation is /vɑlˈkænɪk/. In British English it is /vɒlˈkænɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in volcanic?
Volcanic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAN). Broken into parts: vahl · KAN · ik.
Is volcanic pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /vɒlˈkænɪk/ (vol-KAN-ik).