How to Pronounce “croissant”

American (US)

/krəˈsɑːnt/

British (UK)

/ˈkrwæsɒ̃/

Australian (AU)

/kɹəˈsɔnt/

noun — A flaky crescent-shaped pastry made with laminated butter dough.

Example: The croissant shattered into flakes at the first bite.

A loanword from French. French for “crescent”. The final t is silent, and the -ant is a nasal vowel that English has no equivalent for; English speakers approximate it rather than reproduce it.

Where the stress falls. “croissant” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /krəˈsɑːnt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /krəˈsɑːnt/ 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 "croissant" mean?

croissant (noun): A flaky crescent-shaped pastry made with laminated butter dough. For example — The croissant shattered into flakes at the first bite.

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

American English: /krəˈsɑːnt/. British English: /ˈkrwæsɒ̃/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "croissant"?

/krəˈsɑːnt/ in American English, /ˈkrwæsɒ̃/ in British English, /kɹəˈsɔnt/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "croissant"?

“croissant” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /krəˈsɑːnt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

• French loanwords