How to pronounce woodpecker
Say it like WUUD-pek-er. Woodpecker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WUUD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce woodpecker. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WUUD
- pek
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Woodpecker pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WUUDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- pekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of woodpecker
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WUUD-pek-uh.
What does woodpecker mean?
- Any bird of the species-rich family Picidae, with a strong pointed beak suitable for pecking holes in wood.
- A Type 92 heavy machine gun.
Where does woodpecker come from?
From wood + pecker. Compare Middle English wod spek (“woodpecker”), Middle English wodehake (“woodpecker”), Middle English wodewale (“woodpecker”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying woodpecker
How do you pronounce woodpecker?
Say WUUD-pek-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈwʊdˌpɛkɚ/. In British English it is /ˈwʊdˌpɛkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in woodpecker?
Woodpecker has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WUUD). Broken into parts: WUUD · pek · er.
Is woodpecker 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 /ˈwʊdˌpɛkə/ (WUUD-pek-uh).