4 syllables: gor, gon, zo, la. Stress on zo.
gawr-guhn-ZOH-luh
/ˌɡɔɹɡəˈnzoʊlə/
gorgonzola is pronounced gawr-guhn-ZOH-luh (/ˌɡɔɹɡəˈnzoʊlə/). It has four syllables (gor-gon-zo-la), with the stress on "zo". Gorgonzola is a blue-veined Italian cheese, typically soft to semi-soft with a pungent aroma and distinctive mold veins. The word also denotes the cheese itself, commonly used in culinary contexts from casual to gourmet. Its name originates from the town of Gorgonzola in northern Italy and is widely recognized in European gastronomy and beyond.
Gorgonzola is a blue-veined Italian cheese, typically soft to semi-soft with a pungent aroma and distinctive mold veins. The word also denotes the cheese itself, commonly used in culinary contexts from casual to gourmet. Its name originates from the town of Gorgonzola in northern Italy and is widely recognized in European gastronomy and beyond.
"I added slices of gorgonzola to the salad for a bold, tangy kick."
"The chef finished the risotto with a crumble of gorgonzola."
"We paired the gorgonzola with pears and walnuts for a sophisticated appetizer."
US/UK/AU pronunciation centers on four syllables: kor-GON-zoh-lah (IPA US: /ɡɔːrɡɔnˈzoʊlə/, UK: /ˌɡɔːɡənˈzəʊlə/, AU: /ˌɡɔːɡənˈzɒlə/). The stress is on the third syllable: gon. Start with /ɡ/ + /ɔː/ like 'gore', drop the 'r' lightly in US/UK, then /ɡɔn/ combining /ɡ/ and /ɔn/. The middle 'zo' uses /zə/ or /zo/ depending on accent; end with /lə/.
Two frequent errors: (1) misplacing the stress, saying gar-GON-zoh-la instead of kor-GON-zoh-lah; (2) mispronouncing the 'gon' as /ɡən/ or softening the /z/ to /s/. Correction: keep the syllable stress on the third syllable and clearly articulate the /z/ as /z/, not /s/, and end with /lə/ not /laʊ/.
In US English you’ll hear /ɡɔːrɡɔnˈzoʊlə/ with a rhotic start and a long second vowel; UK English often favors /ˌɡɔːɡənˈzəʊlə/ with a more centralized second vowel and non-rhotic linking; Australian tends toward /ˌɡɔːɡənˈzɒlə/ with a broader /ɒ/ in the final syllable and less rhoticity. The key is where the stress lands and how vowels tense in the middle 'gon' and the final 'la'.
It combines a voiced /ɡ/ onset, a nasal /n/ cluster, and a dense 'z' in the stressed syllable, plus a final unstressed /lə/ that can shorten in rapid speech. The cluster /gɔnˈzo/ is challenging due to the blend of a nasalized mid vowel and a voiced fricative; also, non-native speakers may misplace emphasis or mispronounce the final /ə/ or /ɪ/ due to unfamiliar Italian multi-syllabic patterns.
A distinctive aspect is the /ˈzoʊ/ or /ˈzəʊ/ segment that varies by dialect: in many English pronunciations, the middle vowel often reduces or shifts to a schwa before the final syllable, while the vowel in the stressed syllable remains full. Paying attention to the /zo/ with a crisp /z/ helps separate it from similar-sounding words, and ensures the final /lə/ isn’t pronounced as /lɑ/.
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Gorgonzola derives from the town of Gorgonzola, near Milan, Italy, where the cheese is said to have originated. The name likely predates written records and is connected to the Italian toponym -anzo- and -ola suffixes common in northern Italian place names. The cheese itself is documented in the 9th-11th centuries, with medieval mentions association to monastic communities and local dairies. The modern form, produced in Lombardia and Piemonte regions, reflects traditional techniques of mold-ripened cheese with Penicillium cultures that create the distinctive blue-green veining. Through centuries, Gorgonzola evolved from a regional specialty to an internationally traded product, with variations like Gorgonzola Dolce (milder, creamier) and Gorgonzola Piccante (spicier and more pungent) appearing in the 20th century as production techniques and aging practices diversified. The name’s enduring usage in menus and recipes worldwide reinforces its identity as a hallmark of Italian cheese craftsmanship.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gorgonzola" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "gorgonzola"
-ola sounds
-lla sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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