2 syllables: Geck, o. Stress on Geck.
GEK-oh
/ˈɡɛkoʊ/
Gecko is pronounced GEK-oh (/ˈɡɛkoʊ/). It has two syllables (Geck-o), with the stress on "Geck". Gecko is a small, nocturnal lizard known for its vocalizations, adhesive toe pads, and ability to climb smooth surfaces. Commonly kept as a pet in many regions, geckos vary in color and size, and possess specialized toepads and eyes adapted for a wide range of habitats. The term often appears in zoological and pet-keeping contexts rather than in everyday wildlife discussions.
nounGecko is a small, nocturnal lizard known for its vocalizations, adhesive toe pads, and ability to climb smooth surfaces. Commonly kept as a pet in many regions, geckos vary in color and size, and possess specialized toepads and eyes adapted for a wide range of habitats. The term often appears in zoological and pet-keeping contexts rather than in everyday wildlife discussions.
"The gecko basked on the warm rock before it scurried along the wall."
"She bought a tiny gecko as a pet and now feeds it crickets every week."
"Researchers studied the gecko's toe pads to understand adhesion."
Gecko is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈɡɛk.oʊ/ (US) or /ˈɡɛk.əʊ/ (UK/AU). The first syllable uses a short E as in 'bed' and a hard G /ɡ/. The second syllable is a rounded /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on dialect. Keep the O-sound long but light at the end. Think: GEK-oh, with a crisp, abrupt first syllable.
Two frequent errors: (1) misplacing the stress, pronouncing geCK-o as /ˈdʒɛk.oʊ/ or /ˈɡeɪ.kə/; keep stress on the first syllable and avoid vowel shifts in the first vowel. (2) Believing the second syllable is /ɪ/ or /ə/ instead of a clear /oʊ/ or /əʊ/; aim for /oʊ/ with a gentle glide. Use minimal adjustments: start with /ˈɡɛk/ and finish with /oʊ/ or /əʊ/.
In US English, /ˈɡɛk.oʊ/ with a clear /oʊ/ diphthong. UK: /ˈɡek.əʊ/ or /ˈɡɛkəʊ/, with a possible schwa-adjacent second syllable and less rhoticity influence. Australian: often /ˈɡɛk.oʊ/ or /ˈɡek.əʊ/, with a tendency toward non-rhoticity, and a slightly clipped first syllable. Overall, the first syllable stays /ˈɡɛk/ or /ˈɡek/, while the second syllable exhibits dialectal diphthong variation (/oʊ/ vs /əʊ/).
Gecko challenges include balancing a single closed syllable onset /ˈɡɛk/ with a longer, rounded second syllable /oʊ/ or /əʊ/, and producing a crisp /k/ followed by /oʊ/ without an intrusive vowel or consonant. Learners may over- or under-articulate the /ɡ/ or misplace the secondary vowel in the second syllable. Slow, precise articulation of the /k/ release and smooth glide into /oʊ/ helps stabilize pronunciation across dialects.
A useful gecko-specific nuance: some speakers reduce the second syllable to /ə/ in casual speech, producing /ˈɡɛkə/ in rapid speech; however, careful articulation maintains the full /oʊ/ diphthong for clarity, especially in formal or educational contexts. Keep the first syllable crisp, and if you’re teaching others or presenting, model the full /ˈɡɛk.oʊ/ form to anchor proper pronunciation.
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Gecko derives from Indonesian languages, with early English adopters likely influenced by Malay gecko. The word entered English as a borrowed zoological term in the 18th to 19th centuries, reflecting European interest in tropical reptiles. The spelling gecko likely aligns with pronunciation shifts in colonial-era exposure to Southeast Asian fauna, though exact first usage is variably cited in dictionaries. The term became generalized to a wide range of small, nocturnal lizards with adhesive toe pads, now spanning dozens of gecko species globally. The etymology emphasizes cross-cultural encounters with Southeast Asian fauna during exploration and colonial natural history, shaping modern usage as both a scientific term and common name in petkeeping literature.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Gecko" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Gecko" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Gecko"
-ego sounds
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