How to Pronounce “onomatopoeia”

American (US)

/ˌɑːnəˌmætəˈpiːə/

British (UK)

/ˌɒnəmætəʊˈpiːə/

noun — The formation of a word that imitates the sound it describes, such as 'buzz'.

Example: Comic books are full of onomatopoeia.

Where the stress falls. “onomatopoeia” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɑːnəˌmætəˈpiːə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fifth one — so the fifth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌɑːnəˌmætəˈpiːə/ 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 "onomatopoeia" mean?

onomatopoeia (noun): The formation of a word that imitates the sound it describes, such as 'buzz'. For example — Comic books are full of onomatopoeia.

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

American English: /ˌɑːnəˌmætəˈpiːə/. British English: /ˌɒnəmætəʊˈpiːə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "onomatopoeia"?

/ˌɑːnəˌmætəˈpiːə/ in American English, /ˌɒnəmætəʊˈpiːə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "onomatopoeia"?

“onomatopoeia” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɑːnəˌmætəˈpiːə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fifth one — so the fifth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

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