2 syllables: co, bra. Stress on co.
/ˈkoʊbɹə/
cobra is pronounced /ˈkoʊbɹə/. It has two syllables (co-bra), with the stress on "co". Cobra is a venomous snake of the genus Naja, known for its distinctive hood and potent venom. In general usage, the word also connotes danger or menace in symbolic or figurative contexts. The term appears in natural description and in metaphor, and is used across multiple languages with related roots in Africa and India where the snakes are native.
Say it backCobra is a venomous snake of the genus Naja, known for its distinctive hood and potent venom. In general usage, the word also connotes danger or menace in symbolic or figurative contexts. The term appears in natural description and in metaphor, and is used across multiple languages with related roots in Africa and India where the snakes are native.
"The cobra spread its hood and hissed."
"Cobra venom can be deadly if untreated."
"The term cobra is often used metaphorically to describe a looming threat."
You say CO-bra, with primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA US: ˈkoʊ.brə, UK: ˈkəʊ.brə, AU: ˈkoː.brə. Start with the long 'o' as in 'go', then a light 'bruh' ending. Keep the second syllable unstressed and short, ending with a relaxed schwa. Think: hop from the o to a quick, soft 'brə' to finish.
Common errors include over-emphasizing the second syllable, turning the 'br' cluster into a smoother, clipped blend, or using a reduced vowel in the first syllable (e.g., ˈkə.brə). To correct: keep primary stress on CO/KO and ensure the second syllable remains unstressed with a clear, short schwa-like ending. Practice by saying CO + brief pause + brə, then blend without adding extra vowel length.
US tends toward ˈkoʊ.brə with a full diphthong in the first syllable, and a clearly reduced second syllable. UK uses ˈkəʊ.brə, with a slightly shorter initial vowel and a non-rhotic or weakly rhotic R leading to a more clipped second syllable. Australian typically mirrors UK closely but may show a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable and a light, almost schwa-like second syllable. All share the two-syllable rhythm with primary stress on the first.
Difficulties stem from the two-syllable structure with a long first vowel and a short, unstressed second syllable, plus the tightly attached 'br' consonant cluster, which can cause a rushed transition. The key challenges are maintaining the long /o/ quality without turning it into a diphthong that slides to a schwa, and keeping the second syllable light and quick without adding phonemes. Slow practice helps you align tongue position and breath.
The word combines a strong initial vowel, a sharp bow of the ‘br’ consonant blend, and a lax final syllable. The primary tension is between the robust /koʊ/ (or /kəʊ/) on the first syllable and the near-schwa /rə/ on the second. In practice you’ll want the first syllable to carry the weight while the second stays light, allowing the two-syllable rhythm to be crisp and natural.
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US: Maintain a clear, strong /oʊ/ in the first syllable, with a slightly fronted tongue for /oʊ/. UK/AU: Use a more centralized /əʊ/ or /əʊ/ with a shorter first vowel; allow the second syllable to be barely audible. In all accents, keep the /b/ and /r/ tightly coupled; avoid a heavy pause between /ko/ and /brə/. IPA anchors: US /ˈkoʊ.brə/, UK /ˈkəʊ.brə/, AU /ˈkəʊ.brə/.
Cobra originates from the Portuguese word cobra, meaning 'snake', which itself comes from the Latin colubro, from the Greek kolobos meaning 'lopped' or 'crooked'. The specific use for the hooded snake derives from the genus Naja, with the common name ‘cobra’ popularized in English by early explorers and traders who encountered the hooded snakes in Africa and Asia. The root term spread through colonial and regional languages, often retained in English borrowings. The word’s broad semi-technical use—referring to venomous, hooded snakes of the Naja genus—emerged in the 16th–18th centuries as Western naturalists cataloged fauna from tropical regions. In some cultures, non-hooded cobras or similar snakes are described by local names that translate roughly to “hooded one” or “king snake,” contributing to cross-linguistic analogs. The metaphorical use—‘cobra of danger’ or ‘hooded threat’—developed over time as the animal became a potent symbol of vigilance and fear in literature and media. First known printed English uses reflect natural history descriptions, with broader metaphorical use appearing in the 19th and 20th centuries as venomous snakes became iconic in travel narratives and later in film and journalism.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "cobra" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cobra" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "cobra"
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