How to Pronounce “camouflage”

American (US)

/ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/

British (UK)

/ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/

noun — Colouring or covering that hides something by making it blend into its surroundings.

Example: The moth's camouflage makes it invisible on bark.

Synonyms: disguise, concealment

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “camouflage” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “camouflage” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "camouflage" mean?

camouflage (noun): Colouring or covering that hides something by making it blend into its surroundings. For example — The moth's camouflage makes it invisible on bark.

How do you pronounce "camouflage" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "camouflage", /ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "camouflage"?

/ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/ in American English, /ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "camouflage"?

“camouflage” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkæ.məˌflɑːʒ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.