2 syllables: Pea, cock. Stress on Pea.
PEE-kahk
/ˈpiˌkɑk/
Peacock is pronounced PEE-kahk (/ˈpiˌkɑk/). It has two syllables (Pea-cock), with the stress on "Pea". Peacock is a noun referring to a large, colorful male bird known for its iridescent tail feathers that fan out during courtship. It can also describe anything showy or vain. The term originates from a blend of Old English and Latin influences and is used chiefly in zoological or descriptive contexts, sometimes with a playful or metaphorical nuance.
nounPeacock is a noun referring to a large, colorful male bird known for its iridescent tail feathers that fan out during courtship. It can also describe anything showy or vain. The term originates from a blend of Old English and Latin influences and is used chiefly in zoological or descriptive contexts, sometimes with a playful or metaphorical nuance.
- You often overextend the second syllable by adding a full vowel (say /koʊk/ instead of a quick /k/ or schwa). Correct by practicing a tight transition: /ˈpi-ˌkɒk/ or /ˈpi-koʊk/ in quick bursts. - Another mistake is misplacing stress, giving equal weight to both syllables. Ensure primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈpiˌkɒk/ and reduce the second syllable. - Some speakers insert a long vowel between the two consonants, producing /ˈpiːkoʊk/. Fix with a short, crisp vowel and a quick stop to /k/.
Tips: practice slow, then tempo-build to natural speech; use tongue-tips to strike the /p/ and /k/ cleanly; keep the jaw relaxed for the /i/ vowel.
How to Pronounce Peacock
"The peacock strutted along the garden path, its tail feathers shimmering in the sun."
"During the festival, the plaza was filled with peacocks and people admiring their brilliant plumage."
"She wore a dress with a peacock feather motif, drawing admiring glances."
Peacock is pronounced as /ˈpiˌɒk/ in many dialects of English, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first syllable sounds like “pea” but with a short “i” sound, /pi/. The second syllable uses a reduced vowel, and the final consonant is a voiceless /k/. Common natural variation places the middle vowel as a subtle schwa in rapid speech: /ˈpiəˌkɒk/ or /ˈpiˌkɒk/. Audio resources: you can listen to native pronunciation on Pronounce or YouGlish for context across sentences.
Common errors include treating the second syllable as a full vowel instead of a reduced one, saying /ˈpiːkoʊk/ or /ˈpiːæk/, and misplacing stress by softening the first syllable. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable, reduce the second syllable to a quick /k/ or schwa-like /ə/ and finish with a crisp /k/. Practicing the sequence /ˈpi-koʊk/ or /ˈpiˌkɒk/ in short bursts helps stabilize rhythm.
In US English, the first syllable tends to be /ˈpi/ with a clearer /i/ and a lighter /k/ at the end; the second syllable may be reduced. UK English often keeps a slightly longer vowel in the first syllable, giving /ˈpiːɒk/ with a more rounded second vowel. Australian English can feature a shorter, clipped first vowel and a more pronounced final /k/. In all cases, the final /k/ remains voiceless and crisp.
The challenge lies in the short, tense vowel in the first syllable and the potential vowel reduction in the second syllable. Also, the subtle blend between /i/ and /ɒ/ or /oʊ/ depending on accent makes the sequence tricky. Mastery requires precise lip rounding and jaw position for /i/ and a quick transition to the final /k/. Listening to native speech and replicating the cadence helps. IPA cues: /ˈpiˌɒk/ or /ˈpiːɒk/ depending on accent.
Unique to this word, the emphasis on the first syllable combined with a short, almost clipped second syllable can trip learners. Focus on a clean /ˈpi/ onset, then a very quick /k/ release. Visualize the beak opening and closing quickly on two beats, with the tailing /k/ crisp at the end. IPA reminder: US /ˈpieɒk/ is less common; more typical /ˈpiˌɒk/.
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- US: keep the /i/ sound tight and short; reduce the second syllable; avoid a drawled /ˈpiːɒk/. IPA: /ˈpiˌɒk/ or /ˈpiˌkɒk/. - UK: may retain a slightly longer /i/ and a more rounded /ɒ/ in the second syllable; aim for /ˈpiːɒk/ with crisp final /k/ - AU: tends toward a shorter, staccato first vowel and a slightly flatter second syllable, producing /ˈpiˈɒk/ with a clear final /k/. - General: ensure /p/ and /k/ are crisp, use minimal vowel length differences in rapid speech, and keep voicing off for the final consonant.
Peacock stammt from the Early Modern English peacock, from Middle English pecok, from Old English peeoc (in some dialects) and possibly from Latin pavonis meaning ‘peafowl.’ The modern form reflects a blend of English pe- and Latin-origin vocabulary referring to the bird’s striking plumage and display. The term evolves through medieval bestiaries and natural history writing, where the male’s extravagance became emblematic of vanity and ostentation, shaping metaphorical uses in literature. The phrase “peacock” as an adjective for showy or vainglorious behavior appears in Renaissance and later English, while the biological term peafowl designates the species without gender specificity in scientific contexts. First documented references to the bird in English literature appear in medieval and early modern texts, with the tail’s iridescence later noted as a defining feature in natural history. Over centuries, the word broadened from a species name to a common noun for a flamboyant display or temperament, while maintaining zoological precision in scientific descriptions.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Peacock" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Peacock"
-oke sounds
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