3 syllables: Har, i, cot. Stress on Har.
HAR-ik-aht
/ˈhæɹɪkɑt/
Haricot is pronounced HAR-ik-aht (/ˈhæɹɪkɑt/). It has three syllables (Har-i-cot), with the stress on "Har". Haricot is a noun for a small, typically green, French bean used in cooking. The term is also used to describe a dish or variety involving haricot beans, and it appears in culinary contexts, particularly in European cuisine. (2-4 sentences, ~50-80 words).
nounHaricot is a noun for a small, typically green, French bean used in cooking. The term is also used to describe a dish or variety involving haricot beans, and it appears in culinary contexts, particularly in European cuisine. (2-4 sentences, ~50-80 words)
"She simmered haricot verts with garlic and shallots for a light side dish."
"The recipe called for haricots blancs in a creamy soup."
"In France, haricot is a common ingredient in cassoulet and other bean stews."
US: /ˈhærɪkoʊ/ UK: /ˈhærɪkoʊ/ AU: /ˈhærɪkɒt/ (note: some speakers adapt to /-koʊ/ or /-kɒt/). Primary stress on the first syllable HAR-, then a light -i- before -cot. Break it as HAR-i-cot" with clear hi- to-ri- syllable emphasis. For audio reference, listen to culinary channels that pronounce haricot as in French beans; aim for a crisp initial consonant and a rounded final vowel.
Common mistakes include stressing the second syllable or slurring the -cot into -kət. Another frequent error is mispronouncing the final -cot as a hard ‘t’ instead of a softer, clipped ‘t’ that blends with the preceding vowel. Correct by keeping HAR as a strong syllable, using a clear short /ɪ/ in the middle, and ending with a crisp but not overly aspirated /kəʊ/ or /kɒt/ as appropriate to your accent.
In US and UK, the word commonly uses /ˈhærɪkoʊ/ or /ˈhærɪkɒt/ with stress on HAR and a lengthened final vowel; rhoticity affects the /r/ sound and the quality of the following vowels. In Australian English, you may hear /ˈhæɹɪkɒt/ with a slightly more pronounced r and a broader vowel in the final syllable. Across all, maintain the initial /h/, short /æ/ or /æɹ/ depending on accent, and a clear coda /k/ plus a rounded ending.
The difficulty lies in the French-derived final -cot segment and the potential mismatch between spelling and pronunciation. The sequence -ricot can tempt learners to try a French-influenced /ri/ vowel where English typically uses /ɪ/. The stress pattern is straightforward (HAR-), but the trailing -cot may vary between /koʊ/ and /kɒt/ depending on dialect. Focus on a crisp, short middle vowel and a clean, non-emphatic final consonant.
Haricot has a simple trochaic pattern (strong-weak) in English: HAR-ɪ-cot. A unique feature is maintaining a stable onset for the first syllable while not letting the middle vowel become too lax or reduced in rapid speech. Also be mindful of the possible vowel shift in the final syllable across dialects, especially the /oʊ/ versus /ɒ/ realization. Keep the lip rounding modest and avoid tying the final consonant to any nasalization.
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Haricot comes from the French word haricot, which itself derives from Old French haricot, a diminutive of harri (“bean”) with the diminutive suffix -ot. The word passed into English in the 16th–17th centuries, initially referring to the small French beans imported from continental Europe. Its culinary usage expanded across French cuisine and then into English-language cookbooks and menus, especially as global trade increased access to diverse legumes. The term is most commonly associated with the haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), though in some culinary traditions it broadly references various beans used in French-style dishes. First known English usage traces to cookbook literature of the Early Modern period, evolving from a general bean designation to a specific culinary bean in modern times.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Haricot" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Haricot"
-rot sounds
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