4 syllables: O, re, ga, no. Stress on re.
aw-REG-uh-noh
/ˌɔˈɹɛɡəˌnoʊ/
Oregano is pronounced aw-REG-uh-noh (/ˌɔˈɹɛɡəˌnoʊ/). It has four syllables (O-re-ga-no), with the stress on "re". Oregano is a hardy, aromatic herb used to flavor dishes. In botany, it refers to Origanum vulgare, a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean. In cooking, the dried or fresh leaves contribute a warm, slightly bitter, peppery note that complements tomato-based sauces and grilled meats; in some cuisines, it blends with other herbs to create a savory backbone for many recipes.
nounOregano is a hardy, aromatic herb used to flavor dishes. In botany, it refers to Origanum vulgare, a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean. In cooking, the dried or fresh leaves contribute a warm, slightly bitter, peppery note that complements tomato-based sauces and grilled meats; in some cuisines, it blends with other herbs to create a savory backbone for many recipes.
"I sprinkled oregano on the pizza for extra aroma."
"The Greek salad features oregano as a key seasoning."
"Oregano thrives in Mediterranean climates and is easy to grow in herb gardens."
US: /ˌɒrɪˈɡænoʊ/ or /ˌɔːrɪˈɡænoʊ/ in American speech; stress on the second syllable, with a clear “g” before “a.” UK: /ˌɒrɪˈɡiːnəʊ/ or /ˌɔːrɪˈɡiːnəʊ/, stress similarly on the second syllable but with a shorter first vowel and a longer second vowel; final /əʊ/ as in “go.” AU: /ˌɒːrɪˈɡiːnəʊ/ with vowel qualities leaning toward British pronunciation. Use the audio reference in your practice to match the rhythm: four syllables, secondary stress on the first, primary on the second. IPA provides precise vowels and consonant timing; listen to native samples to capture the subtle /ɡ/ release before /n/ in the third syllable.
Two common mistakes: (1) Treating the second syllable as a long “a” as in ‘gas,’ producing /ˌɒrɪˈɡeɪnoʊ/ instead of /ˌɒrɪˈɡænoʊ/ or /ˌɒrɪˈɡiːnəʊ/. (2) Slurring the final syllable into a quick /oʊ/ or dropping it to /ə/; keep /noʊ/ or /niːəʊ/ as two clear sounds. Correction tips: emphasize the second syllable with clear /æ/ or /iː/ realization depending on accent; ensure final /oʊ/ is rounded and prolonged, not reduced. Practice with minimal pairs: oregano vs origan/oregano vs oregano (variant). Focus on the stiff /g/ and the palatal glide into the final syllable.
US rhythm leans toward strong second syllable stress with a rounded ending /noʊ/. UK tends to a lighter initial vowel, with a clearer /ɡiː/ or /ɡiː/ in the middle and a final /əʊ/ or /əʊ/. Australian often mirrors UK but with flatter intonation and a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable; final /oʊ/ can be closer to /əʊ/. Across all, the middle consonant /ɡ/ remains, but vowel qualities shift: US /ɒrɪˈɡænoʊ/, UK /ɒrɪˈɡiːnəʊ/, AU /ɒːɹɪˈɡeɪnəʊ/ (approximate). Refer to audio samples to lock in the exact vowel length and rhoticity differences.
The difficulty centers on the stress pattern and vowel quality in the middle syllable: the /ɡæ/ vs /ɡiː/ distinction and the final /noʊ/ vs /nəʊ/ realization. Non-native speakers often misplace stress, think the middle is a long /eɪ/ or confuse the final vowel with /ɪ/ or /ə/. The palatal /ɡ/ and the two short-to-mid vowels demand precise tongue height and duration. Listening to multiple native samples and practicing with minimal pairs helps you nail the sequence: O-re-GA-no vs o-RE-ga-no.
Unique to oregano is the combination of four syllables with a rising-falling rhythm: o-re-GA-no. The second syllable often carries primary stress in many dialects, but some speakers distribute stress more evenly. The /ɡ/ is a hard stop followed by a soft nasal onset in the final syllable, so ensure a clean linkage: o - re - GA - no. In practice, you’ll want to maintain a crisp /ɡ/ release before the /n/ and avoid letting the final vowel become a schwa.
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Oregano descends from the Latin origanum, borrowed from Greek ὀρίγανον (origanon), itself from oris/eo (mountain) and gân (seed or joy) language roots suggesting a plant from high or mountainous terrain. The term likely arose in classical Mediterranean botany to describe wild oregano as a mountain herb with a distinctive aroma. In Latin, origanum denoted the herb broadly; over centuries, as culinary traditions spread, the word specialized into varieties and forms used in cooking, boiling, and curing. Medieval and early modern European texts frequently mention origanum in herb gardens and culinary treatises, reinforcing oregano’s identity as a staple seasoning. By the 16th–18th centuries, European culinary literature used oregano interchangeably with terms like “wild marjoram” and “oregano” in cookery and apothecary contexts, reflecting regional dialects and evolving taxonomy. In contemporary English, oregano is almost exclusively used for the herb, while its botanical relatives remain linked to the broader Origanum genus. The word’s endurance in modern cooking mirrors centuries of Mediterranean cuisine, where oregano’s robust flavor has cemented its place as a fundamental seasoning. (200-300 words)
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Words that rhyme with "Oregano"
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