How to pronounce whirligig
Say it like WUR-lih-ghig. Whirligig has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce whirligig. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WUR
- lih
- ghig
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Whirligig pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ghigKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of whirligig
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WUR-lih-ghig.
What does whirligig mean?
- Anything that whirls or spins around, such as a toy top or a merry-go-round.
- A device incorporating spinning, wind-driven propellers or pinwheels, used as whimsical outdoor decoration in a garden or on a porch.
- To spin or twirl about quickly.
Where does whirligig come from?
From Middle English whyrlegygge; equivalent to whirl (noun or verb) + gig (“a top”).
Questions about saying whirligig
How do you pronounce whirligig?
Say WUR-lih-ghig. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɝlɪɡɪɡ/. In British English it is /ˈwɜːlɪɡɪɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in whirligig?
Whirligig has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WUR). Broken into parts: WUR · lih · ghig.
Is whirligig 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 /ˈwɜːlɪɡɪɡ/ (WUR-lih-ghig).