2 syllables: Cai, cos. Stress on Cai.
KAY-kohs
/ˈkeɪ.koʊs/
Caicos is pronounced KAY-kohs (/ˈkeɪ.koʊs/). It has two syllables (Cai-cos), with the stress on "Cai". Caicos is a proper noun used mainly to refer to the Caicos Islands, a Caribbean archipelago. It can denote the group itself or be used in reference to its geography or tourism. In pronunciation, the word is short, with a sibilant ending, and stress placed on the first syllable. As a place-name, it follows standard English pronunciation patterns rather than regular word-formation rules.
nounCaicos is a proper noun used mainly to refer to the Caicos Islands, a Caribbean archipelago. It can denote the group itself or be used in reference to its geography or tourism. In pronunciation, the word is short, with a sibilant ending, and stress placed on the first syllable. As a place-name, it follows standard English pronunciation patterns rather than regular word-formation rules.
"We flew to the Turks and Caicos Islands for spring break."
"The resort on Caicos is famous for its turquoise water."
"Local guides on Caicos speak with a gentle Caribbean accent."
Caicos is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈkaɪ.kɔs/ in US usage or /ˈkaɪ.kɒs/ in UK/AU variants. The stress is on the first syllable: ‘KAI’ as in ‘kai’ + ‘cos’ with a rounded back vowel in the second syllable. When saying it quickly with Turks and Turks and Caicos, most speakers settle on /ˈkaɪ.kɔs/. Keep the second syllable short and avoid adding a trailing sound. IPA references: US /ˈkaɪ.kɔs/, UK/AU /ˈkaɪ.kɒs/.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying CAI-cos with equal emphasis) and mispronouncing the second syllable as a long vowel. To correct: keep stress on the first syllable and shorten the second to a lax /-s/ with a clipped ending. Avoid saying /ˈkeɪ.kɔːz/ or /ˈkaɪ.kæss/—use /ˈkaɪ.kɔs/ (US) or /ˈkaɪ.kɒs/ (UK/AU). Focus on a sharp, brief second syllable and a clean 's' at the end.
US typically uses /ˈkaɪ.kɔs/ with a mid-back rounded vowel in the second syllable; UK/AU favor /ˈkaɪ.kɒs/ with a lower, back-rounded vowel. The /ɔ/ vs /ɒ/ distinction is key. Rhoticity is not a factor here since the word ends with /s/. Vowel length in the second syllable is short in all variants, but quality varies slightly by region. You’ll hear minor diphthongization in some speakers, but the two main variants are /kɔs/ (US) and /kɒs/ (UK/AU).
The challenge lies in the second syllable’s vowel quality and the abrupt-ending /s/. English does not stress the second syllable, so the /ɔ/ or /ɒ/ vowel must be compact and not drawn out. Non-native speakers may map /ɪ/ or /eɪ/ to the first syllable, or misinterpret the archipelago’s name as a familiar suffix. Also, the string -cos can mislead learners into a hard ‘cos’ as in ‘cosplay’ instead of the crisp 'cos' with a short vowel and final /s/.
A unique question for Caicos: Some learners wonder if the second syllable carries any stress. It does not; the primary stress remains on the first syllable: CAI-cos. Pay attention to the /ɔ/ vs /ɒ/ split: US speakers tend toward /ɔ/, UK/AU toward /ɒ/. The mouth positions are relatively compact: start with a high front vowel for the first syllable (/kaɪ/), then glide into a rounded mid-back vowel (/ɔ/ or /ɒ/), ending with a clear /s/. This makes the two-syllable pattern feel tight and trimmed.
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Caicos derives from the native naming traditions of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. The archipelago is part of the Lucayan Archipelago in the Bahamas. The name’s origin traces to early European explorers who encountered the island chain; its spelling was stabilized in English by maps and naval records in the 16th–18th centuries. Over time, Caicos became associated specifically with the Turks and Caicos Islands, separating itself from nearby islands and archipelagos in the Caribbean. In many languages, the pronunciation has adapted to local phonotactics, but English usage typically treats it as two syllables /ˈkaɪ.kɒs/ or /ˈkeɪ.kɔːs/ depending on the regional variant, with the stress on the first syllable. The name’s evolution reflects colonial cartography, with the “Caico” phoneme complex entering English through Spanish or French transliterations of island names, eventually standardizing in English dictionaries. First known uses appear in late 16th to early 17th century maritime logs and maps, where colonial powers documented Caribbean geography for navigation and trade. The modern gloss centers on its political status as a British Overseas Territory and a popular tourist destination.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Caicos" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Caicos"
-oss sounds
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