How to Pronounce “oregano”

American (US)

/əˈreɡənoʊ/

British (UK)

/əˈreɡənəʊ/

noun — A pungent Mediterranean herb used fresh or dried in cooking.

Example: Dried oregano works better than fresh on pizza.

Where the stress falls. “oregano” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /əˈreɡənoʊ/ 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. /əˈreɡənoʊ/ 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 "oregano" mean?

oregano (noun): A pungent Mediterranean herb used fresh or dried in cooking. For example — Dried oregano works better than fresh on pizza.

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

American English: /əˈreɡənoʊ/. British English: /əˈreɡənəʊ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "oregano"?

/əˈreɡənoʊ/ in American English, /əˈreɡənəʊ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "oregano"?

“oregano” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /əˈreɡənoʊ/ 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.