3 syllables: Co, yo, te. Stress on yo.
keye-OH-tee
/kaɪˈoʊti/
Coyote is pronounced keye-OH-tee (/kaɪˈoʊti/). It has three syllables (Co-yo-te), with the stress on "yo". A coyote is a wild canid native to North America, known for its adaptability and varied vocalizations. In anatomy and behavior contexts, it often refers to a species or individual animal, and in cultural usage it can symbolize cunning or resourcefulness. The term can also denote a pack or group of coyotes and is used in ecological and wildlife-management discussions.
nounA coyote is a wild canid native to North America, known for its adaptability and varied vocalizations. In anatomy and behavior contexts, it often refers to a species or individual animal, and in cultural usage it can symbolize cunning or resourcefulness. The term can also denote a pack or group of coyotes and is used in ecological and wildlife-management discussions.
How to Pronounce Coyote
"The coyote howled at dusk, echoing across the desert."
"Researchers tracked a family of coyotes using GPS collars."
"Some ranchers use deterrents to minimize coyote encounters with livestock."
US: kaɪˈoʊti, with primary stress on the second syllable; UK: kaɪˈəʊti, similar but a slightly drawn-out second vowel; AU: kaɪˈoːti, the vowel in the second syllable tends toward a longer /oː/ in many Australian accents. Tip: start with the 'kai' sound, then glide into a crisp 'oh' or 'oʊ' before the final 'tee'.
Common errors include reducing kaɪ to a short /kʌɪ/ or misplacing stress on the first syllable as KOI-ə-tee. Another frequent mistake is flattening the second syllable to a quick /ti/ without the proper diphthong; instead, emphasize /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ before the final /ti/. Practice with deliberate syllable separation: kaɪ-ˈoʊ-ti.
In US English, the main stress is on the second syllable: kaɪˈoʊti. UK often preserves a similar pattern but can show a slightly more rounded second vowel /əʊ/; Australian may lengthen the second vowel to /oː/ and can have a less pronounced rhoticity influence, maintaining kaɪˈoːti. The onset /kaɪ/ tends to be consistent as /kaɪ/ across dialects.
Because it contains a stressed second syllable with a diphthong that changes in dialects. The sequence kaɪ- is a rising diphthong glide, then the /o/ or /əʊ/ in the middle, followed by a clear /ti/ ending. Edge cases include rapid speech blurring of the middle vowel and regional variation in rhoticity or vowel quality, which can shift the perceived pronunciation.
The middle vowel can be realized as a muted schwa before the /ti/ in some rapid US speech, making kaɪ-ə-ti sound; to avoid this, articulate the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ clearly: kaɪ-ˈoʊ-ti. Paying attention to the secondary beat in the second syllable helps maintain natural rhythm.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Coyote"!
US: kaɪˈoʊti with rhotic r-less or light r depending region; UK: kaɪˈəʊti with longer /əʊ/; AU: kaɪˈoːti where the second vowel is noticeably longer. Vowel details: /aɪ/ diphthong in first, /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ in second, final /i/ as a clear 'ee' vowel. Consonants remain /k/ and /t/ with a crisp stop. Practice tip: exaggerate lip rounding for /oʊ/ to reproduce native-like quality.
The word coyote comes from the Nahuatl word coyotl, via Spanish coyote, attested in English from the late 19th century. The term originally referred to the animal but quickly broadened to cultural and symbolic uses. The name of the animal itself is tied to the Mayan and Aztec word for the animal in various phonetic renderings and was reinforced in American English through frontier and wildlife texts. In English usage, coyote is often associated with the Western United States where the species is prevalent, and its meaning expanded in popular culture to reflect traits attributed to the animal: cunning, opportunism, and adaptability. The phonology of coyote includes a diphthongal name with a two-syllable stress pattern that reflects its Spanish-influenced pronunciation in some dialects; vendar, the anglicized form places primary stress on the first syllable in many contexts, while in some rapid speech variants the second syllable can receive heightened prominence. First known use in print appears in the late 1800s in wildlife writing and ethnographic accounts, though the animal certainly existed in oral traditions long before that. The evolution of the term mirrors broader American linguistic exposure to Native American animal names through translation and adaptation into English, with subsequent re-phonologization as pronunciation shifted across US regions and through contact with Spanish and French. Over time, coyote has gained additional senses in ecology, folklore, sports team names, and general metaphorical usage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Coyote" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Coyote" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Coyote" 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 "Coyote"
-t-y sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
