How to Pronounce “guacamole”

American (US)

/ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊleɪ/

British (UK)

/ˌɡwækəˈməʊleɪ/

Australian (AU)

/ˌɡwɔ.kəˈməʉl.iː/

noun — A Mexican dip of mashed avocado seasoned with lime, onion and chilli.

Example: The guacamole was made fresh at the table.

A loanword from Nahuatl, via Spanish. Spanish pronounces every vowel, including the final e, so the word has four syllables: “gwah-kah-MOH-lay”.

Where the stress falls. “guacamole” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊleɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊleɪ/ 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 "guacamole" mean?

guacamole (noun): A Mexican dip of mashed avocado seasoned with lime, onion and chilli. For example — The guacamole was made fresh at the table.

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

American English: /ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊleɪ/. British English: /ˌɡwækəˈməʊleɪ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "guacamole"?

/ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊleɪ/ in American English, /ˌɡwækəˈməʊleɪ/ in British English, /ˌɡwɔ.kəˈməʉl.iː/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "guacamole"?

“guacamole” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊleɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

• Spanish loanwords