3 syllables: Cock, a, too. Stress on Cock.
KAH-kuh-too
/ˈkɑkəˌtu/
Cockatoo is pronounced KAH-kuh-too (/ˈkɑkəˌtu/). It has three syllables (Cock-a-too), with the stress on "Cock". Cockatoo is a large, crested parrot species, typically kept as a pet or seen in the wild. The word refers to several cockatoos within the genus Cacatua, known for their distinctive head crests and social behavior. In everyday use, it often denotes the bird, with occasional metaphorical or humorous references in conversation.
nounCockatoo is a large, crested parrot species, typically kept as a pet or seen in the wild. The word refers to several cockatoos within the genus Cacatua, known for their distinctive head crests and social behavior. In everyday use, it often denotes the bird, with occasional metaphorical or humorous references in conversation.
"I saw a bright cockatoo perched on a eucalyptus branch this morning."
"The cockatoo’s crest flashed open as it squawked at the other birds."
"We adopted a cockatoo from the rescue center and named him Pico."
Pronounce as ko-KA-too, with primary stress on the second syllable: US /ˌkɒkəˈtuː/, UK /ˌkɒkəˈtuː/, AU /ˌkɒkəˈtuː/. Start with /k/ as a hard stop, then /ɒ/ (short o as in 'cot'), a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, and finish with /tuː/ as a long 'too'. Keep the crest of your tongue high for the final vowel; avoid centering or reducing /tuː/ to /tu/. Audio example you can reference: Pronounce resource links in dictionaries.”,
Two frequent errors: (1) Saying /ˈkɒkɪˌtuː/ with a short, reduced second syllable; correct is /ə/ (schwa) or neutral vowel in the second syllable. (2) Misplacing stress on the first syllable as ko-KA-too; correct is ko-KA-too with primary stress on the second syllable. To fix, practice a clear /k/ + /ə/ in the middle and emphasize the final /uː/ with a longer vowel, not a clipped /u/.
US/UK/AU share the same primary stress on the second syllable: ko-KA-too. The main differences are vowel quality: US often has a slightly darker /ɒ/ like in 'cot' vs UK/AU with broader /ɒ/; Rhoticity is generally not pronounced in isolation, but linking can include an /r/ in fast speech if next word begins with a vowel. In Australian English, vowel distinctions can be more centralized, and the /ɒ/ may approach /ɔ/, with a clear, longer /uː/ in final. Overall, the main pattern remains ko-KA-too, with subtle vowel shifts.”,
The difficulty stems from the cluster of vowels in the middle and the long final vowel: /kəˈtuː/ requires a precise mid-vowel schwa and an elongated back rounded /uː/ without turning into /juː/. Another challenge is placing primary stress on the second syllable in rapid speech and maintaining crisp /k/ onset while avoiding vowel reduction. Practicing slow, then normal pace with clear syllable separation helps stabilize the sound.”,
Cockatoo features a stressed mid syllable with an audible schwa between two open syllables, and the final /uː/ is held longer than typical open syllables. A unique tip: when saying /kɒkəˈtuː/, keep the jaw relatively relaxed in the middle syllable to avoid turning /ə/ into a full vowel like /ɜː/. Also ensure the /k/ remains unreleased before the /ə/ for crisp onset.”]}] ,
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Cockatoo derives from the Malay word cockatoo or from the Dutch nauwtjak? in early English usage, reflecting European exploration of Australasia. The term is tied to the family Cacatuidae and the genus Cacatua, from Greek kakos ('bad')? and -tauto? or more plausibly from an indigenous Australian naming tradition. Early 18th‑century explorers encountered these birds across Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia, describing the large crested parrots encountered near coastal areas and in savannas. The English spelling stabilized as cockatoo in the 1800s, likely influenced by phonetic spellings of the syllables 'cock-a-too' as heard by English speakers, with final -oo representing the long /uː/ vowel. The word evolved from general referential use to denote several species within Cacatua, especially the greater cockatoos and umbrella cockatoos, becoming a common noun in ornithology and pet-keeping vernacular. Across time, cultural references (literature, comic caricatures, and media) reinforced the distinct silhouette and crested profile, embedding the term into everyday English usage beyond scientific circles.
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Words that rhyme with "Cockatoo"
-doo sounds
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