2 syllables: Las, so. Stress on Las.
LAS-oh
/ˈlæsoʊ/
Lasso is pronounced LAS-oh (/ˈlæsoʊ/). It has two syllables (Las-so), with the stress on "Las". Lasso (noun) refers to a long rope with a loop that can be slipped over an animal’s head or legs to catch it. It is also used as a metaphor for any rope- or loop-based catching tool. In everyday speech, it denotes a handheld lariat or range-heritage rope used by cowboys and ranchers. The term emphasizes the loop and entangling action inherent to the device.
nounLasso (noun) refers to a long rope with a loop that can be slipped over an animal’s head or legs to catch it. It is also used as a metaphor for any rope- or loop-based catching tool. In everyday speech, it denotes a handheld lariat or range-heritage rope used by cowboys and ranchers. The term emphasizes the loop and entangling action inherent to the device.
"She swung the lasso in a wide arc and hooked the steer."
"The cowboy demonstrated a perfect, smooth lasso throw."
"They used a rope and lasso to secure the escaping cattle."
You say it as LA-sso with the primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈlæs.oʊ/ (US) or /ˈlæs.əʊ/ (UK/AU). Start with a short, open 'a' as in cat, then a clear 's' sound, and finish with a long 'o' diphthong. Mouth positions: lips neutral to slightly spread, tongue high for the /oʊ/ glide, jaw relatively relaxed. For emphasis, keep the loop action audible in the pause after the first syllable.
Common errors: misplacing stress (saying /ˈlɑːs.oʊ/ with an American broad vowel is less accurate), and flattening the final diphthong to a monophthong like /ˈlæs oʊ/. Correction: keep the /æ/ as in cat for the first syllable, then produce the /oʊ/ as a true diphthong with a smooth glide from /o/ to /ʊ/. Finally: avoid inserting an extra syllable or stopping after the /s/—the word is two syllables, not three. Practice saying ‘LA’-‘SO’ clearly with the second syllable having the /oʊ/ movement.
US: /ˈlæs.oʊ/ with clear /æ/ and a dominant /oʊ/ diphthong. UK/AU: /ˈlæs.əʊ/ or /ˈlæs.əʊ/ with a more centralized first vowel and a similar final /əʊ/; some speakers reduce the first vowel slightly toward /æ/ but maintain the diphthong. Rhoticity is less relevant since /r/ is not present. Overall, the final vowel quality and syllable break can shift slightly, but the two-syllable rhythm remains consistent.
The challenge lies in producing the short, crisp /æ/ before a tense /s/ leading into a rounded, rising /oʊ/ diphthong. New speakers often either flatten the /æ/ or merge the two syllables too closely, effectively making /ˈlæs oʊ/ sound like /ˈlæsəʊ/ or /ˈlæ.səʊ/. Also, the /s/ is a sibilant that can blur with the preceding vowel if not clearly separated. Practice with deliberate vowel separation and a strong release on the /s/ to maintain two-syllable integrity.
Yes—attention to the dash-like pause between syllables is key in natural English: LA-sso should feel like two connected but distinct syllables, with a crisp /s/ separating the segments. The separation helps avoid a run-on and preserves the iconic loop-action imagery in speech. Use a tiny pause or a minimal breath between /s/ and the /oʊ/ glide, especially in careful or formal speech.
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US: retain a full, bright /æ/ before /s/ and a relaxed /oʊ/ at the end. UK: may shift slightly toward /əʊ/ in the second syllable; keep the initial /æ/ steady and reduce any rhotic influence. AU: similar to US but might show subtle vowel spreading in the final diphthong; emphasize non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech and ensure the /s/ is audible. IPA references: US /ˈlæː soʊ/ (practically /ˈlæs.oʊ/); UK/AU /ˈlæs.əʊ/. Focus on crisp /s/ and a clear /oʊ/ glide; avoid a monophthongal /o/ or a mid vowel in the second syllable.
Lasso derives from Spanish lazo, meaning ‘noose’ or ‘slip knot’, ultimately from the verb laçar meaning ‘to tie a knot’ (related to ligar ‘to bind’). The Spanish usage entered English through frontier and ranch culture in the 19th century, particularly in the American West where the lariat was essential equipment for cattle herding. Early American editors documented lasso in hunting and ranch contexts, distinguishing it from other rope-work by its loop, or noose, mechanism. Over time, lasso broadened in metaphorical use to describe any method of “catching” or securing something, including non-physical forms like opportunities or challenges. The core sense remains tied to a flexible loop that can ensnare, with the item often crafted from stiff rope to hold its shape under strain. First known attestations in English appear in Western frontier narratives and farm journals dating from the mid to late 1800s, with the word becoming commonplace in cowboy lexicon and popular culture thereafter.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Lasso" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Lasso"
-osa sounds
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