2 syllables: cock, tail. Stress on cock.
KAHK-tayl
/ˈkɑˌkteɪl/
cocktail is pronounced KAHK-tayl (/ˈkɑˌkteɪl/). It has two syllables (cock-tail), with the stress on "cock". Cocktail is a mixed alcoholic drink served in a glass, often garnished and prepared with shaking or stirring. The word refers to the drink itself and to the act of mixing ingredients. It is used in casual and professional bartending contexts and also in figurative phrases like “cocktail party.” It carries a light, informal nuance in everyday use.
Cocktail is a mixed alcoholic drink served in a glass, often garnished and prepared with shaking or stirring. The word refers to the drink itself and to the act of mixing ingredients. It is used in casual and professional bartending contexts and also in figurative phrases like “cocktail party.” It carries a light, informal nuance in everyday use.
Correction tips: practice with held consonants, pause lightly between syllables, and use minimal pairs like “coat/coat-tail” to reinforce the /kɒk/ vs /teɪl/ boundary; record and compare; mouth-position cues: tip-of-tongue contact for /k/, soft-tap release for /t/, and a forward glide for /eɪ/.
"I ordered a margarita, but the bartender recommended a fancy cocktail instead."
"At the press party, there were cocktails and canapés flowing all evening."
"She stirred the cocktail vigorously, then strained it into a chilled glass."
Cocktail is pronounced with two syllables: US/UK/AU /ˈkɒkˌteɪl/. The primary stress sits on the first syllable, with a lighter secondary stress on the second. Start with the “cock” sound /kɒk/, where your jaw drops slightly and lips are relaxed; then move to a clear “tail” /teɪl/ with a long a as in ‘say.’ The overall cadence is two even beats, often spoken quickly in everyday speech. IPA: /ˈkɒkˌteɪl/.
Common mistakes include blending the two syllables too tightly so it sounds like ‘cocktail’ as a single unit without a distinct /ˌteɪ/ vowel, or pronouncing the second syllable with a short /e/ as in ‘cel,’ and misplacing stress by flattening the first syllable /ˈkɒk/. To correct: clearly separate the /kɒk/ and /teɪl/, ensure the /teɪ/ has a long a as in ‘say,’ and keep the primary stress on the first syllable. Practice with exaggeration at first, then gradual natural pacing.
In US English, the first syllable often sounds with /ɑ/ or /ɒ/ depending on region, but generally /ˈkɒkˌteɪl/. UK speakers nearly identical, with slight vowel rounding in /ɒ/ and occasional tighter /ˈkɒk/; Australians tend to keep the same two-syllable pattern but with a slightly broader /ɒ/ and clearer /eɪ/ as in /teɪl/. Rhoticity is not a strong factor here since /ˈkɒkˌteɪl/ does not heavily rely on r-coloring. Overall, the main variation is vowel quality in the first syllable and the length of /eɪ/ in the second.
The difficulty centers on seamless transitioning between the hard /k/ onset of the first syllable and the long /eɪ/ in the second, requiring precise tongue control to avoid truncating the /teɪ/ into a short /t/ or /te/ sound. The diphthong /eɪ/ can be tricky for non-native speakers who aren’t used to gliding from /e/ to /ɪ/ within a single syllable. Also, maintaining two distinct syllables with clear primary stress on the first requires careful enunciation in connected speech.
Yes. The second syllable features a clear, stressed /teɪ/ with a long a that should not reduce to a schwa or a short /e/ sound. Ensure the /t/ is released crisply and the vowel glide from /e/ to /ɪ/ (if you hear /teɪl/ not /tel/). The two-syllable rhythm is essential; you’ll hear a natural pause between /kɒk/ and /teɪl/ in careful speech, but casual speech often blends slightly while still keeping the two beats distinct.
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The word cocktail emerged in English in the late 18th to early 19th century, with its first known usages appearing in North American print around 1806. While the exact origin is debated, most etymological paths point to a combination of earlier terms for mixed drinks and a cultural practice of “coquet” or “cock-tail” referring to a horse’s tail or a cockerel’s tail used decoratively on cups or by bartenders. By the 1830s-1840s, cocktail denoted a stimulating, spirited drink and gradually solidified into a distinct category of mixed alcoholic beverages. Extensive early recipes described beverages with spirits, sugar, bitters, and water, evolving through influences from European bitters, Caribbean rum, and later colonial gin. The word’s figurative usage—“cocktails” of people or ideas—also begins to appear in the 20th century, underscoring mixing, blend, and variety. Today, cocktail is a globally recognized term associated with bartending culture, hospitality, and social gatherings, often implying craft, balance, and presentation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "cocktail" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "cocktail" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cocktail" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "cocktail"
-oil sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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