How to Pronounce “ovum”

American (US)

/ˈoʊ̯.vəm/

British (UK)

/ˈəʊ̯.vəm/

noun — The female gamete in animals; the egg cell.

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

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈoʊ̯.vəm/ 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 "ovum" mean?

ovum (noun): The female gamete in animals; the egg cell.

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

American English: /ˈoʊ̯.vəm/. British English: /ˈəʊ̯.vəm/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "ovum"?

/ˈoʊ̯.vəm/ in American English, /ˈəʊ̯.vəm/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "ovum"?

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