How to pronounce waterfowl
Say it like WAW-ter-fowl. Waterfowl has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce waterfowl. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAW
- ter
- fowl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Waterfowl pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- fowlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of waterfowl
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: WAW-tuh-fowl.
What does waterfowl mean?
- Any of the birds, such as ducks, geese and swans, that spend most of their non-flying time on water; especially those of the family Anatidae.
Where does waterfowl come from?
From Middle English waterfoul, water-foul, equivalent to water + fowl.
Questions about saying waterfowl
How do you pronounce waterfowl?
Say WAW-ter-fowl. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɔtɚˌfaʊl/. In British English it is /ˈwɔːtəˌfaʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in waterfowl?
Waterfowl has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAW). Broken into parts: WAW · ter · fowl.
Is waterfowl pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈwɔːtəˌfaʊl/ (WAW-tuh-fowl).