How to Pronounce “Illinois”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ/
- British (UK)
- /ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ/
What “Illinois” means
proper noun — A state of the United States, named for the people.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “Illinois” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Illinois" mean?
Illinois (proper noun): A state of the United States, named for the people.
How do you pronounce "Illinois" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "Illinois", /ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ/, 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 "Illinois"?
/ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ/ in American English, /ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "Illinois"?
“Illinois” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ/ 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.
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