How to pronounce watchdog
Say it like WAHCH-dawg. Watchdog has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAHCH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce watchdog. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAHCH
- dawg
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Watchdog pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAHCHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- dawgGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of watchdog
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: WOCH-dog.
What does watchdog mean?
- A guard dog.
- An individual or group that monitors the activities of another entity (such as an individual, corporation, non-profit group, or governmental organization) on behalf of the public to ensure that entity does not behave illegally or unethically.
- To perform a function analogous to that of a watchdog; to guard and warn.
- To be continuously reset by a watchdog timer.
Where does watchdog come from?
From watch + dog.
Questions about saying watchdog
How do you pronounce watchdog?
Say WAHCH-dawg. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɑtʃˌdɔɡ/. In British English it is /ˈwɒtʃˌdɒɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in watchdog?
Watchdog has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAHCH). Broken into parts: WAHCH · dawg.
Is watchdog 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 /ˈwɒtʃˌdɒɡ/ (WOCH-dog).