How to pronounce Washington
Say it like WAH-shing-tun. Washington has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Washington. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAH
- shing
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Washington pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- shingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Washington
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: WOSH-ing-tun.
Other ways to say Washington
Washington also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- WAW-shing-tun /ˈwɔʃɪŋtən/
What does Washington mean?
- the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
- a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific
- the federal government of the United States
Questions about saying Washington
How do you pronounce Washington?
Say WAH-shing-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɑʃɪŋtən/. In British English it is /ˈwɒʃɪŋtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Washington?
Washington has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAH). Broken into parts: WAH · shing · tun.
Is Washington 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 /ˈwɒʃɪŋtən/ (WOSH-ing-tun).