How to pronounce wholesome
Say it like HOHL-sum. Wholesome has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wholesome. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOHL
- sum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wholesome pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- sumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of wholesome
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOHL-sum.
What does wholesome mean?
- conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being“wholesome attitude”“wholesome appearance”
- sound or exhibiting soundness in body or mind“exercise develops wholesome appetites”“a grin on his ugly wholesome face”
Where does wholesome come from?
From earlier holesome, from Middle English holsom, holsum, helsum, halsum, from Old English *hālsum, *hǣlsum, from Proto-West Germanic *hailasam, from Proto-Germanic *hailasamaz, equivalent to whole + -some or hale (“healthy”) + -some.
Questions about saying wholesome
How do you pronounce wholesome?
Say HOHL-sum. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊlsəm/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊlsəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wholesome?
Wholesome has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHL). Broken into parts: HOHL · sum.
Is wholesome pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊlsəm/ (HOHL-sum).