2 syllables: Hip, po. Stress on Hip.
HIP-oh
/ˈhɪpoʊ/
Hippo is pronounced HIP-oh (/ˈhɪpoʊ/). It has two syllables (Hip-po), with the stress on "Hip". Hippo is a short, informal noun meaning a hippopotamus, typically used in casual speech or when referring to the animal’s nickname. It can also appear in phrases like hippo campus in biology or as a playful shorthand in conversation. The term is stress-timed and common in everyday talk, especially in informal writing or media about animals or zoo visits.
nounHippo is a short, informal noun meaning a hippopotamus, typically used in casual speech or when referring to the animal’s nickname. It can also appear in phrases like hippo campus in biology or as a playful shorthand in conversation. The term is stress-timed and common in everyday talk, especially in informal writing or media about animals or zoo visits.
How to Pronounce Hippo
"The hippo lounged near the water on a hot afternoon."
"We watched a group of hippos splash and yawn at the riverbank."
"Her tattoo showed a cartoon hippo with big teeth."
Hippo is pronounced /ˈhɪ.poʊ/ in US and AU, with a strong first syllable and a long O in the second. The stress sits on the first syllable: HIP-po. For UK English, it’s typically /ˈhɪ.pəʊ/, with a reduced second syllable and a long /əʊ/ diphthong. Practice by isolating the /h/ release, the lax /ɪ/ vowel, then glide into /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent. Listen to native speaker clips and imitate the rhythm: quick, light onset, clear termination on the second syllable.”,
Common errors include reducing the first syllable too much (making it almost silent) and pronouncing /poʊ/ as /poʊ/ with an overly strong closing, or misplacing the stress by saying hippo as HIP-ho or hi-PO. Correct by keeping the primary stress on the first syllable /ˈhɪ/ and shaping the second syllable as a light /poʊ/ (US) or /pəʊ/ (UK). Ensure the /h/ is aspirated and the /ɪ/ is lax, not a full vowel, then glide into the second syllable’s diphthong.”,
US/CA: /ˈhɪ.poʊ/ with a clear /ɪ/ and a pronounced /oʊ/. UK: /ˈhɪ.pəʊ/ with a reduced second syllable and a longer /əʊ/. AU: /ˈhɪ.pəʊ/ similar to UK but with subtler vowel adjustments and sometimes a slightly more centralized second syllable. In connected speech, R is not involved here; rhoticity affects only rhotic accents in different words, not this one. Emphasize smoother linking between syllables in UK/AU while US favors a crisper separation.”,
Two challenges: the short first vowel /ɪ/ can be unstable in rapid speech, and the second syllable’s diphthong demands precise jaw movement to avoid a flat /pə/ tap. Practice by isolating /h/ inhalation, quickly settling mouth for /ɪ/ with relaxed jaw, then glide into /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. Use slower tempo, then gradually speed up, ensuring the second vowel remains a clean diphthong rather than a clipped vowel.
Unique to Hippo is the potential for a reduced second syllable in British English; you’ll often hear /ˈhɪ.pəʊ/ where the second syllable clicks into a quick, unstressed /ə/ sound. In practice, you should aim for a light, clipped second syllable with an audible yet short diphthong. This nuance helps maintain natural rhythm in casual speech and ensures you sound fluent across dialects.
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Hippo derives from the shortened form of hippopotamus, from the Greek hippos (horse) + potamos (river). The word hippopotamus entered English in the 17th–18th centuries via scientific catalogs translating Latinized forms; hippo as a clipped form appeared in American English in the 20th century, popularized by children’s literature and informal speech. The oxymoronic nickname carries playful, approachable connotations that contrast with the animal’s imposing size in real life. The transformation from formal Hippopotamus to hippo reflects a broader trend toward affectionate shorthand for animals in spoken English, often used to convey familiarity or humor. First known usage of hippo as shorthand can be traced to mid-20th century popular culture, with scales of usage expanding through media portrayals and educational contexts. Over time, hippo is used both as a standalone noun and as a prefix in compound terms like hippo-campus in biology, where it retains the same informal, friendly tone as the animal name.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hippo" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Hippo" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Hippo"
-po? sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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