3 syllables: O, ma, ha. Stress on O.
OH-muh-hah
/ˈoʊməˌhɑ/
Omaha is pronounced OH-muh-hah (/ˈoʊməˌhɑ/). It has three syllables (O-ma-ha), with the stress on "O". Omaha is a proper noun referring to a major city in Nebraska, USA. It denotes a specific place name used in everyday conversation, travel, and media. The term is typically pronounced with two syllables, has stressed first syllable, and features a distinct /ɒ/ or /ɒə/ initial vowel sound followed by a clear final syllable, making it easy to recognize in English discourse.
nounOmaha is a proper noun referring to a major city in Nebraska, USA. It denotes a specific place name used in everyday conversation, travel, and media. The term is typically pronounced with two syllables, has stressed first syllable, and features a distinct /ɒ/ or /ɒə/ initial vowel sound followed by a clear final syllable, making it easy to recognize in English discourse.
How to Pronounce Omaha
"We flew into Omaha for the conference."
"Omaha has a rich history in stockyards and music."
"She mentioned Omaha in her travel itinerary."
Pronounce it as /ˈɒməˌhɑː/ in US and UK accents, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first vowel is the short open-back /ɒ/ in UK/AU contexts, often realized as /ɒ/ or a reduced /ɒ ə/. The second syllable contains a light schwa or /ə/ followed by a clearer /h/ and a long /ɑː/ or /ə/ depending on locale. For example: 'OM-uh-hah'. Audio references: you can listen to native pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo for Omaha.
Common errors include misplacing stress (putting emphasis on the second syllable), using a long /o/ after the first syllable (like 'oh-may-ha'), or pronouncing the final as /ə/ without the following /h/ or missing the aspirated /h/. To correct: keep primary stress on first syllable (ˈɒ-), ensure a short /ɒ/ followed by a relaxed /mə/ with a light /m/ and avoid diphthongizing the first vowel. Use a light release on /h/ and finish with a crisp /æ/ or /ɑː/ depending on your variant.
US: strong initial /ɒ/ with clear /mɒ/ and final /hə/ or /hɑː/, rhotic okay. UK: typically more clipped /ˈɒməˌhɑː/ with a less prominent American /r/ influence and a longer final /ɑː/. AU: tends toward a flatter /ɒ/ and vowel merger tendencies; final syllable may be shorter with less pronounced /h/ release. Across all, the first syllable remains stressed, but vowel quality and final vowel length vary by accent.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable rhythm with a distinct first vowel that can be mispronounced as /oʊ/ or /ɔː/ and the final aspirated /h/ followed by a tense vowel in some accents. Learners often misplace stress or reduce the second syllable too much, making it sound like 'OH-mah' or 'om-a-ha.' Focus on maintaining brisk syllable timing, clear onset /ɒ/ and a crisp /h/ before the final vowel.
Omaha’s uniqueness comes from the sequence /ˈɒmə/ and the final /ˌhæ/ in the provided IPA, which emphasizes a sharp aspirated /h/ and a distinct trailing vocalic element. The name blends a clipped initial vowel, a mid-central schwa, an aspirated /h/, and a rounded or open final vowel depending on the accent. This combination demands careful timing: strong initial stress, light middle, and crisp final consonant.
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Omaha derives from the Omaha people, a Native American tribe historically located in the central Midwestern United States. The city was named after the Native American term meaning
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Omaha" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Omaha" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Omaha" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Omaha"
-oma sounds
-ama sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
