How to Pronounce “canyon”

American (US)

/ˈkænjən/

British (UK)

/ˈkænjən/

noun — A deep gorge, typically with a river running through it.

Example: The trail follows the rim of the canyon.

Synonyms: gorge, ravine

Where the stress falls. “canyon” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkænjən/ 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. /ˈkænjən/ 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 "canyon" mean?

canyon (noun): A deep gorge, typically with a river running through it. For example — The trail follows the rim of the canyon.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "canyon", /ˈkænjən/, 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 "canyon"?

/ˈkænjən/ in American English, /ˈkænjən/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "canyon"?

“canyon” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkænjən/ 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.